The answer is to set the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides until the migration is complete. This is correct because forcing the new 16 Gbps switch to negotiate down to the legacy fabric’s speed prevents buffer-to-buffer credit mismatches and frame corruption during the cutover, ensuring both fabrics operate at a common speed for stable connectivity. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Fibre Channel migration speed ISL configuration, often appearing as a trap where candidates mistakenly leave the new ISL at auto-negotiate or 16 Gbps, which would cause credit starvation and link instability. The key memory tip is “match the slowest link first” — always lock the ISL speed to the legacy fabric’s rate until all devices are migrated, then safely increase it.
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A storage engineer is planning to migrate from an existing 2 Gbps Fibre Channel fabric to a new 16 Gbps fabric while maintaining connectivity during the cutover. The legacy and new switches are connected via ISL and use the same VSAN. What is a best practice to ensure a seamless migration?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides until the migration is complete
Option B is correct because setting the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides ensures that the new 16 Gbps switch negotiates down to the legacy fabric's speed, preventing buffer-to-buffer credit mismatches and frame corruption during the cutover. This allows both fabrics to operate at a common speed, maintaining stable connectivity until all devices are migrated and the ISL speed can be safely increased.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Assign the new switches to a separate VSAN to prevent mixing
Why it's wrong here
Separate VSANs prevent fabric integration.
✓
Set the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides until the migration is complete
Why this is correct
Ensures compatibility and stable fabric merge.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a dedicated ISL for the migration and move zones gradually
Why it's wrong here
Fabric may segment if speed mismatches.
✗
Disable zoning on both fabrics and re-apply after migration
Why it's wrong here
Disabling zoning is a security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that simply connecting a higher-speed switch to a lower-speed fabric via ISL will auto-negotiate correctly, but the trap here is that without manually setting the speed, the link may fail to establish or cause instability due to incompatible buffer-to-buffer credit management.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Fibre Channel switches use buffer-to-buffer credits (BB_Credits) for flow control, and a speed mismatch between ISL ports can cause credit starvation or overflow, resulting in frame drops. The `speed` command under the interface configuration forces the port to a specific rate, and both sides must match to avoid negotiation failures. In a real-world scenario, failing to set the speed can cause the ISL to flap repeatedly, disrupting all traffic traversing the link.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides until the migration is complete — Option B is correct because setting the ISL port speed to 2 Gbps on both sides ensures that the new 16 Gbps switch negotiates down to the legacy fabric's speed, preventing buffer-to-buffer credit mismatches and frame corruption during the cutover. This allows both fabrics to operate at a common speed, maintaining stable connectivity until all devices are migrated and the ISL speed can be safely increased.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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