The answer is a Fabric Port Channel with LACP, which is one of three valid methods to load balance VLAN traffic across UCS uplinks. This works because the port channel aggregates multiple physical uplinks into a single logical link, using a hash algorithm—typically based on source and destination MAC or IP addresses—to distribute frames from a specific VLAN evenly across both uplinks. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of UCS end-host mode and uplink load balancing, often appearing in a multiple-select question where you must identify three valid methods among options like vPC-host mode, static pinning, or disjoint layer 2. A common trap is confusing static pinning, which assigns a VLAN to a single uplink, with true load balancing; remember that only dynamic methods like LACP or vPC-host mode distribute traffic across multiple links. Memory tip: “LACP spreads the MAC, pinning sticks the VLAN.”
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 UCS domain is configured with two fabric interconnects in end-host mode. The engineer needs to ensure that traffic from a specific VLAN is load-balanced across both uplinks to the upstream network. Which THREE of the following are valid methods to achieve load balancing on the uplink ports?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Fabric port channel with LACP
Option C is correct because a Fabric Port Channel with LACP allows multiple uplink ports to be aggregated into a single logical link, providing load balancing across the physical links based on a hash algorithm (e.g., source/destination MAC or IP). This is a standard method for distributing traffic from a specific VLAN across both uplinks to the upstream network in a UCS domain configured with two fabric interconnects in end-host mode.
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.
✗
VLAN load balancing using the pin-groups
Why it's wrong here
Pin-groups are for traffic prioritization, not load balancing VLANs across uplinks.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
MAC pinning to assign source-destination pairs to uplinks
Why this is correct
MAC pinning can be used to load balance traffic based on MAC addresses.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
vPC-host mode on the fabric interconnects
Why this is correct
vPC-host allows the upstream switch to treat both FIs as a single logical switch, enabling load balancing.
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 distinction between Ethernet load-balancing methods (like Fabric Port Channel with LACP and MAC pinning) and Fibre Channel-specific features (like pin-groups), leading candidates to mistakenly select pin-groups for Ethernet traffic.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In end-host mode, the fabric interconnects act as a Layer 2 switch with no STP, and uplinks are typically configured as a vPC (Virtual Port Channel) to the upstream switch, which uses a hash-based load-balancing algorithm (e.g., Cisco's default is src-dst MAC) to distribute frames across member links. The pinning of source-destination pairs (MAC pinning) is a separate method that assigns a specific uplink to a source-destination pair, ensuring per-flow consistency but not necessarily equal load distribution.
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.
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Fabric port channel with LACP — Option C is correct because a Fabric Port Channel with LACP allows multiple uplink ports to be aggregated into a single logical link, providing load balancing across the physical links based on a hash algorithm (e.g., source/destination MAC or IP). This is a standard method for distributing traffic from a specific VLAN across both uplinks to the upstream network in a UCS domain configured with two fabric interconnects in end-host mode.
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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