- A
Ensure that the firmware policy in Intersight is consistent with the current firmware on the server.
Why wrong: The firmware policy should define the desired version; making it consistent with the current version would not resolve the firmware incompatibility that causes discovery failure.
- B
Remove the server from Intersight inventory and re-claim it.
Why wrong: Re-claiming the server would not address the underlying firmware issue and would likely result in the same discovery failure.
- C
Reset the server's CIMC to factory defaults and re-discover it.
Why wrong: Resetting CIMC may clear configuration issues but will not resolve the firmware incompatibility that prevents discovery.
- D
Update the firmware manually on the server using UCS Manager before deploying the profile.
Manually updating the firmware to a version compatible with the UCS domain will allow the server to be discovered, after which the profile can be applied.
Quick Answer
The answer is to manually update the firmware on the server using UCS Manager before deploying the profile. This is correct because when an Intersight firmware policy specifies a version incompatible with the server’s current firmware—such as requiring storage controller firmware 5.0(3a) while the motherboard runs 4.0(2a)—the server enters a “Discovery Failed” state rather than becoming selectable. The firmware policy creates a prerequisite baseline; if the server’s current firmware does not support the target storage controller version, Intersight cannot complete the discovery process, leaving the server in a pending state. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Intersight’s dependency validation and the need for manual staging when automatic upgrades fail. A common trap is assuming network connectivity or CIMC access alone resolves the issue, but the root cause is firmware version incompatibility. Remember the memory tip: “Policy pushes, but baseline must match first—manual update before profile attach.”
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. 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 data center engineer is using Cisco Intersight to manage a hybrid infrastructure that includes UCS servers and HyperFlex clusters. The engineer needs to deploy a new server profile to a UCS domain that is claimed in Intersight. The profile includes a firmware policy that specifies version 4.1(3c) for the motherboard and 5.0(3a) for the storage controller. The target server is a C-Series rack mount server currently running firmware version 4.0(2a) on the motherboard. After deploying the profile, the server goes into a 'Pending' state and does not become 'Selectable'. The engineer checks the UCS Manager and sees that the server is in 'Discovery Failed' state. The engineer has verified that network connectivity is fine and the CIMC is accessible. What should the engineer do to resolve this?
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
Update the firmware manually on the server using UCS Manager before deploying the profile.
Option D is correct because when a firmware policy in Intersight specifies a version that is not compatible with the current firmware on the server, the server may enter a 'Discovery Failed' state. In this scenario, the motherboard firmware must be updated to a version that supports the storage controller firmware 5.0(3a) before the profile can be applied. Manually updating the firmware via UCS Manager ensures the server meets the prerequisite firmware baseline, allowing Intersight to complete the deployment.
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.
- ✗
Ensure that the firmware policy in Intersight is consistent with the current firmware on the server.
Why it's wrong here
The firmware policy should define the desired version; making it consistent with the current version would not resolve the firmware incompatibility that causes discovery failure.
- ✗
Remove the server from Intersight inventory and re-claim it.
Why it's wrong here
Re-claiming the server would not address the underlying firmware issue and would likely result in the same discovery failure.
- ✗
Reset the server's CIMC to factory defaults and re-discover it.
Why it's wrong here
Resetting CIMC may clear configuration issues but will not resolve the firmware incompatibility that prevents discovery.
- ✓
Update the firmware manually on the server using UCS Manager before deploying the profile.
Why this is correct
Manually updating the firmware to a version compatible with the UCS domain will allow the server to be discovered, after which the profile can be applied.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the concept that firmware policies have dependency chains, and candidates mistakenly think that a simple re-claim or reset will fix a 'Discovery Failed' state, when in fact the root cause is an incompatible firmware version that must be manually updated first.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Discovery Failed' state in UCS Manager often occurs when the server's firmware does not meet the minimum requirements for the specified storage controller firmware. In UCS environments, the motherboard firmware must be at a version that supports the storage controller firmware, as the storage controller firmware is dependent on the baseboard management controller (BMC) firmware. Intersight's firmware policy enforces a dependency chain, and if the server's current firmware is too old, the server cannot be selected until the firmware is upgraded to a compatible baseline.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Update the firmware manually on the server using UCS Manager before deploying the profile. — Option D is correct because when a firmware policy in Intersight specifies a version that is not compatible with the current firmware on the server, the server may enter a 'Discovery Failed' state. In this scenario, the motherboard firmware must be updated to a version that supports the storage controller firmware 5.0(3a) before the profile can be applied. Manually updating the firmware via UCS Manager ensures the server meets the prerequisite firmware baseline, allowing Intersight to complete the deployment.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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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