350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A network engineer is troubleshooting a slow backup performance between a backup server and a tape library connected via FC. The backup server is connected to a Cisco MDS switch at 8 Gbps, and the tape library is connected at 4 Gbps. The backup job is using hardware compression. Which factor is most likely limiting performance?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that buffer credits are the primary cause of any FC performance issue, but here the persistent throughput limit is due to a static speed mismatch, not a dynamic credit starvation problem.
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
✓
Port speed mismatch between the server and tape library
The backup server is connected at 8 Gbps while the tape library is connected at 4 Gbps. In Fibre Channel, the link speed is negotiated per port, and the end-to‑end flow is limited by the slowest link in the path. Even though the server can transmit at 8 Gbps, the tape library can only receive at 4 Gbps, creating a bottleneck that caps the backup throughput. Hardware compression on the tape library does not cause this speed mismatch; it actually reduces the amount of data written to tape, but the physical link rate remains the limiting factor.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Port speed mismatch between the server and tape library
Why this is correct
The slower device (4 Gbps) determines the link speed.
- ✗
Insufficient buffer credits on the MDS switch
Why it's wrong here
Buffer credits affect long-distance links, not speed-limited performance.
- ✗
Hardware compression on the tape library
Why it's wrong here
Compression reduces data, improving performance, not limiting it.
- ✗
Half-duplex mode on the FC link
Why it's wrong here
FC always operates in full-duplex mode.
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