350-601 Compute Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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