CCNP Architecture Practice Question
A network administrator is configuring a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch stack using StackWise-480 technology. The administrator wants to ensure that if the active switch fails, the standby switch takes over with minimal disruption. Which statement describes the behavior of the stack during a failover?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a failover causes a stack-wide reload or split, when in fact the standby simply assumes the active role.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The standby switch becomes active, and the stack retains its configuration and forwarding state.
StackWise-480 provides high availability by maintaining a standby switch that is ready to take over if the active switch fails. The stack retains its configuration and forwarding state, allowing for minimal disruption. The standby switch becomes active, and the member switches continue to operate without a full reload.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The stack splits into multiple independent switches, each with its own configuration.
Why it's wrong here
A stack split occurs when the StackWise cables fail, not when the active switch fails. During a failover, the stack remains intact and the standby switch assumes the active role. Splitting into independent switches would cause network instability and is not the expected behavior for an active switch failure.
- ✗
The master switch is elected based on the highest MAC address, and all other switches reload.
Why it's wrong here
The active switch election in StackWise is based on priority and other factors, not solely on MAC address. More importantly, during a failover, the standby switch takes over without reloading all other switches. The scenario describes a failover, not an initial election, so this statement is incorrect.
- ✓
The standby switch becomes active, and the stack retains its configuration and forwarding state.
Why this is correct
In a StackWise-480 deployment, the standby switch is ready to take over if the active switch fails. The stack retains its configuration and forwarding state, and the standby becomes active with minimal disruption. This is the designed behavior for high availability, ensuring that network services continue without a full stack reload.
- ✗
All switches in the stack reload and then elect a new active switch.
Why it's wrong here
StackWise-480 does not require all switches to reload during a failover. The standby switch takes over as active, and the member switches continue forwarding traffic. A full stack reload would cause significant disruption, which contradicts the purpose of high availability in a switch stack. This behavior is not characteristic of StackWise-480.
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,923-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.