The answer is Fibre Channel multipathing, which must be implemented alongside redundant port channels to achieve automatic failover in a dual-MDS SAN design. Multipathing software, such as native OS MPIO or EMC PowerPath, creates multiple logical paths between initiators and targets across separate physical fabrics; when one MDS switch fails, the multipathing driver seamlessly reroutes traffic over the surviving path without manual intervention. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of SAN redundancy concepts, specifically the distinction between path-level resilience (multipathing) and link-level aggregation (port channels). A common trap is confusing port channels—which bundle physical links into a single logical link for bandwidth and link redundancy—with multipathing, which provides fabric-level failover across independent switches. Remember the mnemonic: "Port channels bundle links; multipathing bundles fabrics."
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 network engineer is designing a Fibre Channel SAN with two Cisco MDS switches in a single VSAN. The design requires that if one switch fails, the storage traffic continues to flow without manual intervention. Which two technologies should be implemented?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Port channels
Fibre Channel multipathing (E) is correct because it enables multiple physical paths between initiators and targets, allowing storage traffic to continue automatically if one switch fails. This is typically implemented using multipathing software (e.g., EMC PowerPath, native OS MPIO) that load-balances and fails over across redundant SAN fabrics without manual intervention.
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.
✗
NPV
Why it's wrong here
NPV reduces domain IDs but does not provide redundancy.
✓
Port channels
Why this is correct
Port channels provide link redundancy but not switch-level redundancy.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
VSAN trunking
Why it's wrong here
VSAN trunking allows multiple VSANs over a single link, not switch redundancy.
✗
IVR
Why it's wrong here
IVR is for inter-VSAN routing, not redundancy within a single VSAN.
✓
Fibre Channel multipathing
Why this is correct
Multipathing provides multiple paths between hosts and storage, enabling automatic failover.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that Port channels (B) provide switch-level redundancy, but they only protect against link failures, not a complete switch failure, which requires multipathing across separate fabrics.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Fibre Channel multipathing relies on the T11 FC-FS and FC-SB-3 standards, where initiators use active/passive or active/active path policies via SCSI commands like REPORT LUNS and INQUIRY. In a dual-fabric design, each initiator has two HBA ports connected to separate MDS switches, and multipathing software monitors path health using periodic SCSI commands or FC ELS frames; if one switch fails, the software reroutes I/O to the alternate path within seconds. A real-world scenario is a VMware ESXi host using native NMP (Native Multipathing Plugin) with a Round Robin policy, which automatically fails over to the second fabric when the primary MDS switch goes offline.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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: Port channels — Fibre Channel multipathing (E) is correct because it enables multiple physical paths between initiators and targets, allowing storage traffic to continue automatically if one switch fails. This is typically implemented using multipathing software (e.g., EMC PowerPath, native OS MPIO) that load-balances and fails over across redundant SAN fabrics without manual intervention.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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