The answer is live migration with shared storage, such as NFS or iSCSI. This is correct because live migration transfers a running CSR1000v virtual machine between KVM hosts without downtime, but it requires the VM’s disk image to remain accessible from both source and destination hosts simultaneously. Shared storage ensures that the disk state is preserved during the move, preventing service interruption; without it, the hypervisor would need to copy the entire disk, causing a delay or outage. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of high-availability design for virtualized Cisco routers, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a trap is to choose “live migration without shared storage” or “cold migration.” Remember the key: live migration needs shared storage to keep the disk alive during the move—think “live means shared drive.”
CCNP Virtual Machines and Hypervisors Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of virtual machines and hypervisors. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company is deploying Cisco CSR1000v virtual routers in a KVM environment. The architect needs to ensure high availability by allowing VMs to move between physical hosts without service interruption. Which feature must be supported by the hypervisor and storage?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Live migration with shared storage (e.g., NFS or iSCSI).
Live migration (also known as VM migration) allows a running virtual machine to move between physical hosts with zero downtime. For this to work in a KVM environment with Cisco CSR1000v routers, the hypervisor must support live migration, and the storage must be shared (e.g., NFS or iSCSI) so that the VM's disk image remains accessible from both source and destination hosts. Without shared storage, the VM's disk state cannot be preserved during migration, causing service interruption.
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.
✓
Live migration with shared storage (e.g., NFS or iSCSI).
Why this is correct
This allows the VM to move while preserving memory state and disk access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Cold migration with local storage only.
Why it's wrong here
Cold migration requires VM shutdown, causing service interruption.
✗
Storage vMotion without shared storage.
Why it's wrong here
Storage vMotion moves disk but does not move the running VM; it requires shared storage or concurrent access.
✗
Using a distributed virtual switch without shared storage.
Why it's wrong here
A distributed switch helps networking but does not enable live migration without shared storage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between live migration (requires shared storage) and vMotion/Storage vMotion (VMware-specific terms), leading candidates to confuse cross-hypervisor features or assume distributed virtual switches solve storage issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In KVM, live migration uses the QEMU/KVM migration protocol, which transfers VM memory and device state over TCP (typically port 49152-49261). Shared storage (NFS, iSCSI, or Fibre Channel) ensures the VM's disk image is accessible from both hosts via the same path, avoiding the need to copy disk data during migration. A real-world scenario is a carrier-grade NFV deployment where CSR1000v routers must maintain BGP sessions and forwarding state during host maintenance; without shared storage, the router would lose its disk state and require a full reload.
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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Virtual Machines and Hypervisors — This question tests Virtual Machines and Hypervisors — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Live migration with shared storage (e.g., NFS or iSCSI). — Live migration (also known as VM migration) allows a running virtual machine to move between physical hosts with zero downtime. For this to work in a KVM environment with Cisco CSR1000v routers, the hypervisor must support live migration, and the storage must be shared (e.g., NFS or iSCSI) so that the VM's disk image remains accessible from both source and destination hosts. Without shared storage, the VM's disk state cannot be preserved during migration, causing service interruption.
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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