This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. 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 Cisco MDS switch is configured in NPV mode. A host connected to this switch fails to log into the SAN. Which command should be used to verify the host's FLOGI status?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show flogi database module <module>
In NPV mode, the MDS switch acts as a passthrough and does not maintain its own FLOGI database; instead, it forwards FLOGI requests to the upstream NPIV-capable switch. The 'show flogi database module <module>' command is used on the NPV switch to verify the host's FLOGI status because it displays the FLOGI entries learned from the upstream switch for the specific module where the host is connected, which is essential for troubleshooting login failures.
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.
✗
show zone
Why it's wrong here
This shows zone configuration, not FLOGI status.
✗
show fcns database
Why it's wrong here
The FC Name Server database shows all logged-in devices, but does not show FLOGI status directly.
✓
show flogi database module <module>
Why this is correct
This command shows FLOGIs on a specific module, which is more precise when troubleshooting a host on a known module.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show flogi database
Why it's wrong here
This command shows all FLOGIs, but in NPV mode, the database is per module, so it may not highlight the specific host.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between NPV mode and standard switch mode, where candidates mistakenly use 'show flogi database' without the module parameter, not realizing that NPV switches require the module keyword to display FLOGI entries.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows zone configuration, not FLOGI status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In NPV mode, the MDS switch does not perform fabric login (FLOGI) locally; it encapsulates the host's FLOGI in a FIP (Fibre Channel over IP) or native FC frame and forwards it to the upstream core switch. The 'show flogi database module <module>' command queries the NPV switch's internal database that caches the FLOGI responses from the upstream switch, including the assigned FC-ID and port WWN, which is critical for verifying whether the host successfully completed the login process. In a real-world scenario, if a host fails to log in, this command can reveal if the upstream switch rejected the FLOGI due to zoning or resource constraints.
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 350-601 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
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.
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show flogi database module <module> — In NPV mode, the MDS switch acts as a passthrough and does not maintain its own FLOGI database; instead, it forwards FLOGI requests to the upstream NPIV-capable switch. The 'show flogi database module <module>' command is used on the NPV switch to verify the host's FLOGI status because it displays the FLOGI entries learned from the upstream switch for the specific module where the host is connected, which is essential for troubleshooting login failures.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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