- A
Leaf switches are used only for management traffic and do not forward data-plane traffic.
Why wrong: Leaf switches forward both management and data traffic.
- B
Leaf switches provide the Layer 3 routing core and connect to external networks.
Why wrong: Leaf switches typically handle Layer 2/3 functions for servers, but external connectivity often goes through border leaves or firewalls.
- C
Leaf switches connect to servers and provide access to the network, while spine switches provide the aggregation and routing fabric.
Correct. Leaf switches are access switches connecting servers; spine switches form the fabric.
- D
Leaf switches interconnect all spine switches to provide any-to-any connectivity.
Why wrong: Leaf switches connect to spine switches, not interconnect them.
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 spine-leaf architecture is designed to ensure low latency and high bandwidth. Which of the following best describes the role of the leaf switches in this topology?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Leaf switches connect to servers and provide access to the network, while spine switches provide the aggregation and routing fabric.
In a spine-leaf architecture, leaf switches serve as the access layer that connects directly to servers, storage, and other endpoints. They forward traffic to spine switches, which provide the Layer 3 routing fabric and ensure any-to-any connectivity with predictable latency. This design eliminates the need for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and allows for efficient east-west traffic flow.
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.
- ✗
Leaf switches are used only for management traffic and do not forward data-plane traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Leaf switches forward both management and data traffic.
- ✗
Leaf switches provide the Layer 3 routing core and connect to external networks.
Why it's wrong here
Leaf switches typically handle Layer 2/3 functions for servers, but external connectivity often goes through border leaves or firewalls.
- ✓
Leaf switches connect to servers and provide access to the network, while spine switches provide the aggregation and routing fabric.
Why this is correct
Correct. Leaf switches are access switches connecting servers; spine switches form the fabric.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Leaf switches interconnect all spine switches to provide any-to-any connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
Leaf switches connect to spine switches, not interconnect them.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that leaf switches perform routing and aggregation, when in fact they are access-layer switches that rely on spine switches for the Layer 3 fabric and external connectivity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, leaf switches typically run a routing protocol such as OSPF or BGP (often with ECMP) to advertise their directly connected server subnets to the spine switches. The spine switches then use equal-cost multipath (ECMP) to load-balance traffic across multiple leaf switches, achieving high bandwidth and low latency. In a real-world scenario, a leaf switch failure only affects the servers directly attached to it, while the rest of the fabric remains fully operational, demonstrating the architecture's resilience.
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.
Visual reference
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
Network — This question tests Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Leaf switches connect to servers and provide access to the network, while spine switches provide the aggregation and routing fabric. — In a spine-leaf architecture, leaf switches serve as the access layer that connects directly to servers, storage, and other endpoints. They forward traffic to spine switches, which provide the Layer 3 routing fabric and ensure any-to-any connectivity with predictable latency. This design eliminates the need for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and allows for efficient east-west traffic flow.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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