350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A small business has a Cisco MDS 9148S switch with a single fabric. Two hosts are connected to ports fc1/1 and fc1/2, and a storage array is connected to ports fc1/3 and fc1/4. The administrator wants to ensure that each host can only see its own assigned LUNs on the array. They have configured a zone for each host containing the host pWWN and the target pWWN for the respective LUNs. However, Host A is able to see Host B's LUNs. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume 'zone alias' is just a naming convenience that doesn't affect zone membership, but Cisco tests that an alias expands to include all its members, so using a shared alias in multiple zones breaks isolation.
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 zoning configuration is using a zone alias that includes both hosts
The administrator likely used a zone alias that inadvertently includes both hosts' pWWNs. In Cisco MDS zoning, a zone alias is a named set of pWWNs; if the alias contains both Host A and Host B, then any zone using that alias will include both hosts, allowing Host A to see Host B's LUNs. This violates the intended hard-zoning isolation, as zones must contain only the specific host-target pairs to enforce LUN masking.
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 zone is not active
Why it's wrong here
If the zone were inactive, Host A would not see any LUNs.
- ✗
The zones are not in the same VSAN
Why it's wrong here
If in different VSANs, they would be isolated, but they are in the same fabric.
- ✗
The target ports are using soft zoning
Why it's wrong here
Cisco MDS uses hard zoning only; soft zoning is not supported.
- ✓
The zoning configuration is using a zone alias that includes both hosts
Why this is correct
A zone alias containing both hosts would place them in the same zone, allowing cross-access.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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