- A
The NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) is responsible for network service orchestration and resource orchestration across multiple VIMs.
Correct because the NFVO coordinates the lifecycle of network services and manages resource allocation across multiple VIMs and WIMs.
- B
The VNF Manager (VNFM) handles lifecycle management of VNF instances, including instantiation, scaling, and termination.
Correct because the VNFM is responsible for all lifecycle operations of VNFs, such as creation, update, scaling, and deletion.
- C
The Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) controls and manages the NFVI compute, storage, and network resources.
Correct because the VIM is the component that manages the physical and virtual resources of the NFVI, similar to a cloud management platform.
- D
OSS/BSS systems are part of the NFV MANO framework and directly manage VNF instances.
Why wrong: Incorrect because OSS/BSS are separate systems that interact with MANO but are not part of the MANO architectural framework; they handle business and operational support.
- E
The NFVO directly manages the hypervisor layer to allocate virtual resources to VNFs.
Why wrong: Incorrect because the NFVO does not directly manage hypervisors; it delegates resource management to the VIM, which controls the hypervisor and other infrastructure.
Quick Answer
The correct answer identifies the Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) as the component that controls and manages NFVI compute, storage, and network resources. This is true because NFV MANO is the architectural framework that separates orchestration from resource management: the NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) coordinates network services across multiple VIMs and WAN Infrastructure Managers, the VNF Manager (VNFM) handles the lifecycle of individual VNF instances, and the VIM directly manages the underlying NFVI hardware and hypervisors. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish the three core MANO roles without confusing them with OSS/BSS systems, which interact with but are not part of MANO. A common trap is attributing hypervisor management to the NFVO, but remember: the Orchestrator handles service-level coordination, not infrastructure control. Use the mnemonic "NVO orchestrates services, VNFM manages instances, VIM controls resources" to lock in the roles.
CCNP Network Function Virtualization Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of network function virtualization. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which three statements about NFV MANO (Management and Orchestration) are true? (Choose three.)
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 NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) is responsible for network service orchestration and resource orchestration across multiple VIMs.
NFV MANO is the architectural framework for managing and orchestrating NFV resources. The NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) coordinates network services across VIMs and WIMs. The VNF Manager (VNFM) handles VNF lifecycle. The VIM manages NFVI resources. Option A is correct because NFVO handles network service orchestration. Option B is correct because VNFM manages VNF instances. Option C is correct because VIM controls NFVI compute, storage, and network. Option D is incorrect because OSS/BSS are separate from MANO, though they interact. Option E is incorrect because the NFVO does not directly manage hypervisors; that is the VIM's role.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) is responsible for network service orchestration and resource orchestration across multiple VIMs.
Why this is correct
Correct because the NFVO coordinates the lifecycle of network services and manages resource allocation across multiple VIMs and WIMs.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✓
The VNF Manager (VNFM) handles lifecycle management of VNF instances, including instantiation, scaling, and termination.
Why this is correct
Correct because the VNFM is responsible for all lifecycle operations of VNFs, such as creation, update, scaling, and deletion.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✓
The Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) controls and manages the NFVI compute, storage, and network resources.
Why this is correct
Correct because the VIM is the component that manages the physical and virtual resources of the NFVI, similar to a cloud management platform.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
OSS/BSS systems are part of the NFV MANO framework and directly manage VNF instances.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because OSS/BSS are separate systems that interact with MANO but are not part of the MANO architectural framework; they handle business and operational support.
- ✗
The NFVO directly manages the hypervisor layer to allocate virtual resources to VNFs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the NFVO does not directly manage hypervisors; it delegates resource management to the VIM, which controls the hypervisor and other infrastructure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-401 question test?
Network Function Virtualization — This question tests Network Function Virtualization — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) is responsible for network service orchestration and resource orchestration across multiple VIMs. — NFV MANO is the architectural framework for managing and orchestrating NFV resources. The NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) coordinates network services across VIMs and WIMs. The VNF Manager (VNFM) handles VNF lifecycle. The VIM manages NFVI resources. Option A is correct because NFVO handles network service orchestration. Option B is correct because VNFM manages VNF instances. Option C is correct because VIM controls NFVI compute, storage, and network. Option D is incorrect because OSS/BSS are separate from MANO, though they interact. Option E is incorrect because the NFVO does not directly manage hypervisors; that is the VIM's role.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 350-401
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which two statements about NFV MANO (Management and Orchestration) are true? (Choose two.)
medium- ✓ A.The VNF Manager (VNFM) is responsible for the lifecycle management of VNF instances, including instantiation and scaling.
- ✓ B.The NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) coordinates the allocation of resources across multiple VNFs and the NFVI.
- C.The Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) manages the lifecycle of VNFs and their connectivity.
- D.The VIM is responsible for service chaining and policy enforcement within the NFV environment.
- E.The VNFM is responsible for managing the physical hardware resources in the NFVI.
Why A: NFV MANO consists of three main components: NFV Orchestrator (NFVO), VNF Manager (VNFM), and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM). The NFVO coordinates network services across multiple VNFs, the VNFM manages individual VNF instances, and the VIM controls the NFVI resources. Option A is correct because the VNFM handles VNF lifecycle (instantiation, scaling, termination). Option B is correct because the NFVO coordinates resources across VNFs and the infrastructure. Option C is incorrect because the VIM manages the NFVI, not VNFs. Option D is incorrect because the VIM does not handle service chaining; that is the role of the NFVO. Option E is incorrect because the VNFM does not manage physical hardware.
Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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