Quick Answer
The answer is the leaf switch, which serves as the ACI microsegmentation enforcement point for bare-metal servers. Unlike virtual machines that rely on a virtual switch like Cisco AVS to apply Group-Based Policy (GBP), bare-metal servers connect directly to the leaf switch via physical interfaces, so the leaf itself must enforce microsegmentation policies using the opflex protocol to receive definitions from the APIC. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this distinction is frequently tested to catch candidates who assume a hypervisor or virtual switch is always required for microsegmentation. A common trap is selecting the APIC or a virtual switch, but remember: for bare metal, the leaf is the last hop and the enforcement point. Memory tip: “Bare metal hits the leaf—no hypervisor, no relief.”
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of security. 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.
A Cisco ACI fabric administrator wants to implement microsegmentation using Cisco Group-Based Policy (GBP) in a network that hosts virtual machines and bare-metal servers. Which component must be used to enforce microsegmentation policies for bare-metal servers?
Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
Why wrong: APIC is the controller, not the enforcement point.
Virtual Switch (e.g., Cisco AVS)
Why wrong: Virtual switch only applies to VMs.
External firewall appliance
Why wrong: Firewall is not required; leaf enforces.
Leaf switch
Leaf switches enforce microsegmentation for bare-metal servers via PCAM.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Leaf switch
In Cisco ACI, microsegmentation for bare-metal servers is enforced at the leaf switch using Cisco Group-Based Policy (GBP). Unlike virtual machines that rely on a virtual switch (e.g., Cisco AVS) to apply policies, bare-metal servers connect directly to the leaf switch via physical interfaces. The leaf switch uses the opflex protocol to receive policy definitions from the APIC and applies them at the port level, enabling microsegmentation without requiring a hypervisor or virtual switch.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)
Why it's wrong here
APIC is the controller, not the enforcement point.
Virtual Switch (e.g., Cisco AVS)
Why it's wrong here
Virtual switch only applies to VMs.
External firewall appliance
Why it's wrong here
Firewall is not required; leaf enforces.
Leaf switch
Why this is correct
Leaf switches enforce microsegmentation for bare-metal servers via PCAM.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that microsegmentation policies are enforced by the APIC or a virtual switch, but the trap here is that for bare-metal servers, the leaf switch is the enforcement point because there is no hypervisor to host a virtual switch.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, ACI microsegmentation uses endpoint groups (EPGs) and contracts, where the leaf switch applies policies based on the source and destination EPG. For bare-metal servers, the leaf switch identifies the endpoint via the opflex agent and applies the microsegmentation policy at the port level, using the same policy model as for virtual machines. A real-world scenario is a hybrid environment where bare-metal database servers must be isolated from virtual web servers; the leaf switch enforces the contract without requiring any agent on the bare-metal host.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 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
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Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Leaf switch — In Cisco ACI, microsegmentation for bare-metal servers is enforced at the leaf switch using Cisco Group-Based Policy (GBP). Unlike virtual machines that rely on a virtual switch (e.g., Cisco AVS) to apply policies, bare-metal servers connect directly to the leaf switch via physical interfaces. The leaf switch uses the opflex protocol to receive policy definitions from the APIC and applies them at the port level, enabling microsegmentation without requiring a hypervisor or virtual switch.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.
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