Question 245 of 500

Compute →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that a hardware fault in the SSD is the most likely root cause, and the recommended action is to replace the SSD and then use Intersight to rebuild the node’s disk group. This is correct because when a HyperFlex node detects a missing SSD, the cluster automatically enters a degraded state and switches to read-only mode to prevent data corruption, even though the node’s IP and ESXi host remain reachable. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of HyperFlex storage resilience and the specific triggers for read-only mode—a common trap is assuming a network or CVM issue when the node is still pingable. Remember that a missing SSD in a disk group forces the cluster to prioritize data integrity over availability. Memory tip: “Missing disk, read-only risk—replace and rebuild with Intersight to fix.”

350-601 Compute Practice Question

This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 large enterprise runs a Cisco HyperFlex cluster with three nodes, managed through Intersight. After a planned maintenance window, the administrator notices that one of the nodes is in a 'Degraded' state and the cluster is running in 'Read-Only' mode. The administrator checks the Intersight dashboard and sees that the node's disk status shows 'Missing' for one of the SSDs. The administrator also notices that the node's IP address is reachable and the ESXi host is still operational. The administrator reviews the cluster health and sees no other alerts. What is the most likely root cause and the recommended action to restore full cluster health?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice

Full question →

A
The SSD failed due to a hardware fault; the administrator should replace the SSD and then use Intersight to rebuild the node's disk group.
A failed SSD is a common cause of a missing disk. Replacing the SSD and rebuilding the disk group restores redundancy and cluster health.
B
The node lost connectivity to the cluster's internal network; the administrator should check the network switches and restore the VLAN configuration.
Why wrong: Network loss would cause the node to become unreachable, but the node IP is reachable and the ESXi host is operational, so this is unlikely.
C
The node's controller VM (stCVM) is not running; the administrator should reboot the node and wait for the CVM to start.
Why wrong: A stopped CVM would not cause a disk to appear as 'Missing'; it would result in 'CVM offline' alerts and node unavailability.
D
The cluster has split-brain due to a partition; the administrator should force a cluster consensus by shutting down the other nodes.
Why wrong: Split-brain would affect multiple nodes and cause a different error; a single missing disk does not indicate a network partition.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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 SSD failed due to a hardware fault; the administrator should replace the SSD and then use Intersight to rebuild the node's disk group.

A is correct because a missing SSD in a HyperFlex node triggers a 'Degraded' state and forces the cluster into 'Read-Only' mode to prevent data corruption. Since the node's IP is reachable and ESXi is operational, the issue is a hardware fault, not a network or CVM problem. Replacing the SSD and using Intersight to rebuild the disk group restores the node's storage capacity and cluster health.

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.

✓
The SSD failed due to a hardware fault; the administrator should replace the SSD and then use Intersight to rebuild the node's disk group.
Why this is correct
A failed SSD is a common cause of a missing disk. Replacing the SSD and rebuilding the disk group restores redundancy and cluster health.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The node lost connectivity to the cluster's internal network; the administrator should check the network switches and restore the VLAN configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Network loss would cause the node to become unreachable, but the node IP is reachable and the ESXi host is operational, so this is unlikely.
✗
The node's controller VM (stCVM) is not running; the administrator should reboot the node and wait for the CVM to start.
Why it's wrong here
A stopped CVM would not cause a disk to appear as 'Missing'; it would result in 'CVM offline' alerts and node unavailability.
✗
The cluster has split-brain due to a partition; the administrator should force a cluster consensus by shutting down the other nodes.
Why it's wrong here
Split-brain would affect multiple nodes and cause a different error; a single missing disk does not indicate a network partition.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates may assume a 'Degraded' state with reachable ESXi implies a network or CVM issue, but the specific 'Missing' disk status points directly to a hardware fault, not a software or connectivity problem.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

In HyperFlex, each node's disk group consists of cache SSDs (typically one or two) and capacity drives; if a cache SSD is missing, the node cannot serve I/O, forcing the cluster into read-only mode to protect data integrity. The 'Missing' status in Intersight indicates the disk is physically absent or failed, not a software issue. Rebuilding the disk group via Intersight reinitializes the node's storage controller and rejoins it to the cluster's distributed storage fabric.

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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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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: The SSD failed due to a hardware fault; the administrator should replace the SSD and then use Intersight to rebuild the node's disk group. — A is correct because a missing SSD in a HyperFlex node triggers a 'Degraded' state and forces the cluster into 'Read-Only' mode to prevent data corruption. Since the node's IP is reachable and ESXi is operational, the issue is a hardware fault, not a network or CVM problem. Replacing the SSD and using Intersight to rebuild the disk group restores the node's storage capacity and cluster health.

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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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