The answer is that the upstream SAN switch has NPIV disabled. In a UCS boot-from-SAN environment where the SAN switch is configured in NPV mode, the upstream core switch must have N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) enabled to allow multiple virtual FCIDs to be assigned to a single physical N_Port. Without NPIV, the upstream switch cannot recognize the vHBA’s WWPN because it rejects the virtualized N_Port IDs required for the service profile’s vHBA to log in. This scenario tests your understanding of the NPV vs NPIV relationship on the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, where a common trap is to assume NPV alone handles virtualization—it does not; NPV merely forwards frames, while NPIV enables the actual WWPN multiplexing. A reliable memory tip is: NPV is the “valet” that parks the car, but NPIV is the “key” that lets multiple drivers share the same vehicle.
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. 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 UCS Manager administrator is deploying a service profile for a boot-from-SAN environment. The SAN switch is configured with NPV mode. The administrator notices that the WWPN of the vHBA in the service profile is not being recognized by the SAN switch. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The upstream SAN switch has NPIV disabled
In a boot-from-SAN environment with NPV mode on the SAN switch, the upstream switch must have NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization) enabled to allow multiple FCIDs to be assigned to a single physical link. Without NPIV, the upstream switch rejects the WWPN of the vHBA because it cannot support the virtualized N_Port IDs required for the service profile's vHBA to log in. This is the most likely cause of the WWPN not being recognized.
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.
✗
The WWPN pool has been exhausted and the server cannot obtain a new WWPN
Why it's wrong here
Exhausted pools would cause a failure to assign a WWPN, but the symptom is that the WWPN is not recognized, not that it's missing.
✗
The vHBA is not bound to a SAN pin-group
Why it's wrong here
Pin-group is for traffic prioritization, not required for WWPN recognition.
✗
The vHBA speed is set to auto-negotiation but the SAN switch is set to a fixed speed
Why it's wrong here
Speed mismatch would cause link issues, not WWPN recognition failure at the fabric login stage.
✓
The upstream SAN switch has NPIV disabled
Why this is correct
In NPV mode, the SAN switch requires NPIV on the upstream switch to register the initiator WWPNs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 NPV and NPIV, where candidates mistakenly think NPV alone enables virtualized logins, but NPIV must be explicitly enabled on the upstream switch for vHBA WWPNs to be recognized.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NPIV is defined in FC-LS-2 (Fibre Channel Link Services) and allows a single N_Port to register multiple FCIDs, which is essential for UCS vHBAs that present unique WWPNs per virtual interface. In NPV mode, the downstream switch (e.g., a Cisco MDS in NPV mode) relies on the upstream switch to handle NPIV; if NPIV is disabled on the upstream switch, the FLOGI (Fabric Login) from the vHBA fails, and the WWPN is never registered in the fabric's name server. This is a common misconfiguration when deploying UCS in a Cisco MDS or Brocade environment.
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.
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: The upstream SAN switch has NPIV disabled — In a boot-from-SAN environment with NPV mode on the SAN switch, the upstream switch must have NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization) enabled to allow multiple FCIDs to be assigned to a single physical link. Without NPIV, the upstream switch rejects the WWPN of the vHBA because it cannot support the virtualized N_Port IDs required for the service profile's vHBA to log in. This is the most likely cause of the WWPN not being recognized.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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