350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A Cisco MDS switch is configured with fabric binding to restrict which switches can join the fabric. A new switch is added, but it fails to establish an E-port connection. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between fabric binding (switch-level admission control) and zoning (device-level access control), leading candidates to incorrectly attribute E-port failures to zoning issues.
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 new switch's WWN is not included in the fabric binding configuration
Fabric binding on a Cisco MDS switch uses the fabric-binding database to enforce a whitelist of allowed switch WWNs. When a new switch attempts to bring up an E-port, the principal switch checks the new switch's WWN against this database. If the WWN is not present, the E-port is automatically isolated, preventing the switch from joining the fabric. This is the most direct cause of the failure described.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Incompatible SFP modules between the switches
Why it's wrong here
Link would not come up at all, not just E-port failure.
- ✗
Incorrect zoning configuration on the existing switch
Why it's wrong here
Zoning does not affect E-port operations.
- ✗
The new switch has a higher priority than the principal switch
Why it's wrong here
Priority affects principal selection, not E-port establishment.
- ✓
The new switch's WWN is not included in the fabric binding configuration
Why this is correct
Fabric binding rejects unauthorized switches.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.