CCNP Architecture Practice Question
A network administrator is designing a campus network that must support a single management IP address for a pair of Catalyst 9000 switches acting as a collapsed core. The design requires that both switches actively forward traffic, that the control plane operate as one logical device, and that a single configuration file be maintained. Which technology meets these requirements?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is equating first-hop redundancy protocols such as HSRP with a true single-control-plane switch virtualization technology.
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
✓
Cisco StackWise Virtual
StackWise Virtual merges two Catalyst 9000 switches into a single logical switch using a virtual switch link. It provides one management IP, one configuration file, and active-active forwarding, which is precisely what the collapsed core design requires. Classic StackWise is intended for different topologies, while vPC with HSRP and HSRP/GLBP keep separate control planes and configurations, so they do not meet the single logical device requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cisco StackWise Virtual
Why this is correct
StackWise Virtual combines two Catalyst 9000 switches into one logical entity with a single management IP and one configuration file. Both switches actively forward traffic in an active-active fashion using a virtual switch link, which exactly matches the requirement for one logical control plane and dual active forwarding in a collapsed core design.
- ✗
Cisco IOS-XE with HSRP and GLBP
Why it's wrong here
HSRP and GLBP provide first-hop redundancy with a virtual IP, but the two switches remain independently managed with separate configurations. GLBP offers load sharing, yet neither protocol unifies the control plane or produces a single configuration file, so this combination does not satisfy the stated design goals for the collapsed core.
- ✗
Cisco StackWise with a StackWise cable
Why it's wrong here
Classic StackWise is a stacking technology typically used on access switches and does not natively support the long-distance, high-bandwidth virtual switch link used between collapsed core switches. It also does not provide the same active-active forwarding model for a collapsed core pair of Catalyst 9000 switches that StackWise Virtual does.
- ✗
Virtual Port Channel with HSRP
Why it's wrong here
vPC with HSRP provides redundancy and active-active forwarding on Nexus switches, but it does not merge the two switches into one logical device with a single configuration file. Each switch retains its own configuration and management IP, and HSRP adds a virtual gateway IP, so the single-management-plane requirement is not met.
Quick reference
IPv4 Address Class Summary
| Class | First Octet Range | Default Mask | Networks | Hosts per Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–126 | /8 (255.0.0.0) | 126 | 16,777,214 |
| B | 128–191 | /16 (255.255.0.0) | 16,384 | 65,534 |
| C | 192–223 | /24 (255.255.255.0) | 2,097,152 | 254 |
| D | 224–239 | N/A | Multicast groups | — |
| E | 240–255 | N/A | Reserved / experimental | — |
127.x.x.x is reserved for loopback. Modern networks use CIDR (classless) rather than classful addressing.
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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.