350-601 Network Practice Question
A mid-size organization is upgrading its data center network to support server virtualization. They have deployed two Nexus 9300 switches as access switches for their server racks. The servers are configured with VLAN tagging and connect to the switches using trunks. The network administrator needs to ensure that the switches can provide default gateway services to the servers to reduce latency. They have configured interface VLAN interfaces and HSRP for redundancy. After implementation, the servers can communicate within the same VLAN but fail to reach the default gateway. The network administrator checks the switch configuration and finds that "ip routing" is not enabled globally. What is the most likely impact of this missing configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that HSRP or SVI functionality requires global IP routing to be enabled, when in fact HSRP can operate and SVIs can come up without 'ip routing', but inter-VLAN routing and default gateway reachability will fail.
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 switches will not forward traffic between VLANs.
Without the 'ip routing' command enabled globally, the Nexus 9300 switches operate as Layer 2 devices only. This means they can forward frames within the same VLAN (since that relies on MAC address learning and switching), but they cannot perform IP routing between VLANs or route traffic to the configured SVI (VLAN interface) default gateway. The servers can communicate within the same VLAN because that is purely Layer 2 switching, but any attempt to reach the default gateway (which requires Layer 3 forwarding) fails because the switch does not have IP routing enabled.
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 switches will not forward traffic between VLANs.
Why this is correct
ip routing is required for inter-VLAN forwarding.
- ✗
The servers will not receive DHCP addresses.
Why it's wrong here
DHCP relay works with ip helper, not dependent on ip routing.
- ✗
HSRP will not elect an active router.
Why it's wrong here
HSRP works on interface regardless of ip routing.
- ✗
The VLAN interfaces will not come up.
Why it's wrong here
VLAN interfaces can come up without ip routing.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
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JA
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.