350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
A storage administrator reports that a new host cannot log into the SAN. The host is connected to a Cisco MDS switch. The switch interface shows up/up but the host is not in the active zone. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuring a zone (adding WWPNs) and activating the zone set; candidates mistakenly assume that simply adding a WWPN to a zone is sufficient, overlooking the mandatory activation step that enforces the zoning policy.
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 zone set is not activated.
The host cannot log into the SAN despite the interface showing up/up because the zone set is not activated. In Cisco MDS Fibre Channel SANs, zone configurations are stored in the zone database but only take effect when the zone set is activated (using the 'zone activate' command). Without an active zone set, no zoning is enforced, and the host's WWPN is effectively invisible to other devices, preventing login even though the physical link is operational.
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 set is not activated.
Why this is correct
If the zone set is not activated, even if the WWPN is in the zone, it won't be effective. The host is not in the active zone because the active zone set may not include the zone.
- ✗
The switch port is in an isolated state.
Why it's wrong here
An isolated state would show as isolated, not up/up.
- ✗
The FC cable is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty cable would cause interface issues, but the interface is up/up.
- ✗
The host's WWPN is not in the zone configuration.
Why it's wrong here
While this could prevent login, the problem statement says the host is not in the active zone, which could be due to an inactive zone set even if the WWPN is in the zone database.
- ✗
The host's driver is not installed.
Why it's wrong here
If the interface is up/up, the physical layer is working, indicating the driver is likely installed.
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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.