CCNP Virtualization Practice Question
A network engineer deploys Cisco HyperFlex with ESXi hosts and a vSwitch. The requirement is that storage traffic for the HyperFlex distributed data platform be isolated from management and VM traffic, and that jumbo frames be used end to end. Which configuration on the ESXi host satisfies this requirement?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that simply raising the MTU to 9000 satisfies the design, when dedicated storage vSwitch and uplink isolation are equally required.
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
✓
Create a dedicated vSwitch with an MTU of 9000, attach the storage VMkernel adapter to it, and place the physical uplinks connected to the storage VLAN on that vSwitch.
HyperFlex storage traffic should run on a dedicated vSwitch with jumbo frames enabled and its own physical uplinks on the storage VLAN. This isolates the distributed data platform traffic from management and VM flows and allows the 9000 MTU to be applied end to end. Sharing a vSwitch, using a 1500 MTU, or merging storage into a common uplink team all fail the isolation and jumbo frame requirements.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Create a VMkernel adapter on the VM traffic vSwitch with an MTU of 1500 and tag it with the storage VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
Using a 1500 MTU contradicts the jumbo frame requirement, and sharing the VM traffic vSwitch does not isolate storage from VM flows. VLAN tagging alone does not provide the dedicated uplink separation HyperFlex expects for storage. The combination of the wrong MTU and a shared vSwitch fails both the isolation and jumbo frame goals, so this configuration is unsuitable.
- ✗
Add the storage VMkernel adapter to the existing management vSwitch and set the MTU to 9000 on that vSwitch.
Why it's wrong here
Placing storage on the management vSwitch mixes storage and management traffic on the same uplinks and VLAN, which violates the isolation requirement. Raising the MTU alone does not separate the flows. If the management network does not support jumbo frames, the 9000 MTU could also cause fragmentation or drops for management traffic. The design must keep storage on its own segment.
- ✓
Create a dedicated vSwitch with an MTU of 9000, attach the storage VMkernel adapter to it, and place the physical uplinks connected to the storage VLAN on that vSwitch.
Why this is correct
Isolating storage on its own vSwitch with a 9000 MTU and dedicated uplinks on the storage VLAN separates the traffic from management and VM flows while enabling jumbo frames end to end. The storage VMkernel adapter carries the HyperFlex data traffic, and the dedicated uplinks ensure the storage VLAN is not shared with other traffic types. This matches HyperFlex networking requirements.
- ✗
Configure a distributed vSwitch with an MTU of 9000 and attach all VMkernel adapters, including storage, to a single uplink team.
Why it's wrong here
While a 9000 MTU supports jumbo frames, attaching storage and other VMkernel adapters to a single uplink team removes the isolation the design requires. Storage, management, and other traffic would contend on the same physical links and VLANs. The requirement calls for dedicated storage networking, so a shared uplink team on one distributed vSwitch does not satisfy it even with the correct MTU.
Visual reference
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.