This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of sd-access architecture. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An architect is planning a Cisco SD-Access fabric deployment. The design must support host mobility across multiple fabric edge nodes while ensuring consistent policy enforcement. Which fabric component is responsible for tracking endpoint locations and mapping them to the fabric?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Fabric control plane node
In Cisco SD-Access, the fabric control plane node (based on LISP) is responsible for maintaining the endpoint database (EID-to-RLOC mappings). When a host moves between fabric edge nodes, the control plane node updates the mapping, ensuring consistent policy enforcement by providing the correct location information to all edge nodes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Fabric control plane node
Why this is correct
The control plane node uses LISP to track and map endpoints to their location in the fabric.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Fabric border node
Why it's wrong here
The border node connects the fabric to external networks but does not track internal endpoint mappings.
✗
Fabric edge node
Why it's wrong here
The edge node connects endpoints to the fabric but relies on the control plane for mapping.
✗
Fabric wireless controller
Why it's wrong here
The wireless controller manages wireless access but is not the primary component for endpoint mapping.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the fabric edge node tracks endpoint locations because it directly connects to hosts, but the control plane node is the centralized mapping database in LISP-based SD-Access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the control plane node uses LISP (RFC 6830) to separate endpoint identifiers (EIDs) from routing locators (RLOCs). When a host moves, the edge node sends a Map-Register message to the control plane node, which updates the mapping database and notifies other edge nodes via Map-Notify or Solicit-Map-Request. In a real-world scenario, if a user roams from one floor to another, the control plane node ensures that policies (e.g., SGT-based ACLs) follow the host by providing the correct RLOC to the new edge node.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
SD-Access Architecture — This question tests SD-Access Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Fabric control plane node — In Cisco SD-Access, the fabric control plane node (based on LISP) is responsible for maintaining the endpoint database (EID-to-RLOC mappings). When a host moves between fabric edge nodes, the control plane node updates the mapping, ensuring consistent policy enforcement by providing the correct location information to all edge nodes.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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