350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A Cisco MDS switch is configured with two VSANs. Hosts in VSAN 1 cannot communicate with hosts in VSAN 2. What is the most likely reason?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that VSANs are like VLANs and can communicate by default, but in Fibre Channel fabrics, VSANs are fully isolated unless IVR is explicitly configured.
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 VSANs are not connected through an IVR zone.
By default, VSANs are isolated from each other, meaning traffic cannot cross VSAN boundaries. Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR) must be explicitly configured to allow communication between hosts in different VSANs. Without IVR, hosts in VSAN 1 and VSAN 2 remain in separate fabrics and cannot communicate, even if they are connected to the same switch.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The IVR is not configured.
Why it's wrong here
IVR must be enabled and configured with zones; simply not configuring IVR is not enough—zones are also required.
- ✓
The VSANs are not connected through an IVR zone.
Why this is correct
IVR zones define which devices can communicate across VSANs. Without these zones, traffic is isolated.
- ✗
The FC domain ID is conflicting.
Why it's wrong here
Domain ID conflicts affect fabric stability, but not inter-VSAN communication directly.
- ✗
The switch does not support multi VSAN.
Why it's wrong here
Cisco MDS switches support multiple VSANs natively.
- ✗
The hosts are on different switches.
Why it's wrong here
Even on the same switch, VSANs are isolated without IVR.
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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.