The answer is to enable pin groups with 'failover' mode on the server ports. This technology ensures transparent server traffic failover by pinning each server vNIC to a primary Fabric Interconnect (FI) and automatically repinning the vNIC to the secondary FI if the primary fails, all without requiring any changes to the server’s network configuration. Because the server’s MAC and IP addresses remain active on the secondary FI, upstream switches see no topology change, and traffic continues seamlessly. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how UCS pin groups decouple server identity from physical fabric ownership—a common trap is confusing this with standard NIC teaming or static pinning, which lack automatic repinning. Remember the memory tip: “Failover pinning means the fabric follows the MAC, not the server.”
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.
An engineer is deploying a new UCS chassis with two Fabric Interconnects. The design requires that server traffic can fail over to the secondary FI if the primary FI fails, without requiring any changes to the server's network configuration. Which technology must be enabled on the uplink ports of the Fabric Interconnects to the upstream switches to ensure transparent failover of server traffic?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "primary"
Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable pin groups with 'failover' mode on the server ports.
Pin groups with 'failover' mode enable transparent server traffic failover by pinning server vNICs to a specific Fabric Interconnect (FI) and automatically repinning them to the secondary FI upon primary FI failure, without requiring any changes to the server's network configuration. This ensures that the server's MAC and IP addresses remain active on the secondary FI, maintaining connectivity 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.
✗
Configure a virtual PortChannel (vPC) between the Fabric Interconnects and upstream switches.
Why it's wrong here
vPC provides active-active uplinks but does not handle MAC/IP takeover for FI failover.
✗
Apply QoS policies to prioritize failover traffic.
Enable pin groups with 'failover' mode on the server ports.
Why this is correct
Pin groups with failover mode allow the secondary FI to assume the primary's MAC and IP, enabling transparent failover.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Implement Private VLANs on the uplink ports to isolate traffic.
Why it's wrong here
PVLANs are for traffic segmentation, not FI failover.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between upstream redundancy technologies (like vPC) and server-side failover mechanisms (like pin group failover mode), leading candidates to incorrectly choose vPC for transparent server failover when it only addresses link redundancy to the upstream network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pin groups with 'failover' mode leverage the UCS Manager's ability to define a primary and secondary FI for each server vNIC; upon primary FI failure, the system automatically updates the pinning table to redirect traffic to the secondary FI, ensuring sub-second failover. This is distinct from 'no-failover' mode, which would leave the server disconnected if its pinned FI fails. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for stateless UCS environments where server profiles are dynamically assigned and must maintain network identity across FI failures.
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: Enable pin groups with 'failover' mode on the server ports. — Pin groups with 'failover' mode enable transparent server traffic failover by pinning server vNICs to a specific Fabric Interconnect (FI) and automatically repinning them to the secondary FI upon primary FI failure, without requiring any changes to the server's network configuration. This ensures that the server's MAC and IP addresses remain active on the secondary FI, maintaining connectivity 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "primary". Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
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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