350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A storage administrator is configuring Fibre Channel zoning on a Cisco MDS switch to restrict access between initiators and targets. Which two statements about hard zoning vs. soft zoning are true? (Choose two.)
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
✓
Hard zoning provides security against WWPN spoofing.
Hard zoning uses hardware ACLs to enforce access at the port level, providing security against WWPN spoofing. Soft zoning relies on the name server to filter responses, but a device can still attempt to communicate; it is less secure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hard zoning uses the Fibre Channel name server to restrict access.
Why it's wrong here
That describes soft zoning.
- ✗
Both hard and soft zoning require the active zone set to be configured.
Why it's wrong here
While both require zone set activation, this is not a distinguishing statement.
- ✓
Hard zoning provides security against WWPN spoofing.
Why this is correct
Hard zoning uses hardware-based ACLs that filter by port or WWN, making it harder to spoof.
- ✗
Soft zoning enforces access at the hardware level.
Why it's wrong here
Soft zoning is implemented via the name server and does not enforce at hardware level.
- ✓
Soft zoning can be bypassed by a device that directly addresses another device.
Why this is correct
Soft zoning only hides devices; a device can still attempt to send frames to any destination.
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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.