- A
Connect both HBAs of each host to the same switch, and create zones that include both HBAs and both storage ports.
Why wrong: Single switch failure disconnects both HBAs from all storage.
- B
Connect each host HBA to a separate switch, and zone each HBA to one storage controller port.
Why wrong: If a switch fails, the host loses access to its zoned controller; although the other HBA might still work, it's only zoned to one controller, reducing redundancy.
- C
Use NPV mode to simplify connectivity.
Why wrong: NPV simplifies edge switch configuration but does not address redundancy at the core.
- D
Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to a specific storage controller, using zones that cross VSANs.
Why wrong: IVR unnecessarily complicates design and may introduce latency or misconfiguration.
- E
Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to both storage controller ports.
This provides redundant paths at every layer: HBA, switch, and controller.
Quick Answer
The correct design is to connect each host HBA to a different MDS switch and zone each HBA to both storage controller ports. This configuration eliminates a single point of failure by ensuring that if one switch, HBA, or storage controller fails, the host retains a viable path to the remaining controller through the other switch and the dual-zoned HBA. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of redundant SAN design with dual-attached hosts and dual controllers, where the common trap is zoning each HBA to only one controller or connecting both HBAs to the same switch, which would create a single point of failure. Remember that true redundancy in a Fibre Channel SAN requires both path diversity at the host level and complete controller visibility through proper zoning. A useful memory tip is "two switches, two zones per HBA" — each host port must see both storage controllers across separate fabrics to achieve full fault tolerance.
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.
An engineer is designing a SAN to connect hosts to two storage arrays for redundancy. The hosts are dual-attached to two MDS switches. Each storage array has two controllers, each with a single FC port. The engineer wants to avoid a single point of failure and ensure that each host can reach both storage controllers. Which design should be used?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to both storage controller ports.
Option E is correct because it provides full redundancy: each host HBA connects to a different MDS switch, and each HBA is zoned to both storage controller ports. This ensures that if a switch, HBA, or storage controller fails, the host can still reach at least one storage controller via the remaining path. The dual-zoning per HBA allows each host to access both controllers without a single point of failure, meeting the requirement for host-to-controller reachability.
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.
- ✗
Connect both HBAs of each host to the same switch, and create zones that include both HBAs and both storage ports.
Why it's wrong here
Single switch failure disconnects both HBAs from all storage.
- ✗
Connect each host HBA to a separate switch, and zone each HBA to one storage controller port.
Why it's wrong here
If a switch fails, the host loses access to its zoned controller; although the other HBA might still work, it's only zoned to one controller, reducing redundancy.
- ✗
Use NPV mode to simplify connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
NPV simplifies edge switch configuration but does not address redundancy at the core.
- ✗
Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to a specific storage controller, using zones that cross VSANs.
Why it's wrong here
IVR unnecessarily complicates design and may introduce latency or misconfiguration.
- ✓
Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to both storage controller ports.
Why this is correct
This provides redundant paths at every layer: HBA, switch, and controller.
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 connecting both HBAs to the same switch is acceptable for redundancy, but the trap here is that a single switch failure would cause complete loss of connectivity, so each HBA must be on a different switch to eliminate that single point of failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Fibre Channel SAN design, dual-zoning (also known as 'single initiator, multiple target' zoning) is a best practice for redundancy. Each initiator (HBA) is placed in a zone with both target ports (storage controllers), allowing the host to use multipathing software (e.g., EMC PowerPath or native OS MPIO) to load-balance and failover across paths. The MDS switches use VSANs and zones to enforce access control; in this scenario, no VSAN crossing is needed because all ports are in the same VSAN. The key is that each HBA must have a path to both controllers, which is achieved by including both storage ports in each zone.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
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: Connect each host HBA to a different switch, and zone each HBA to both storage controller ports. — Option E is correct because it provides full redundancy: each host HBA connects to a different MDS switch, and each HBA is zoned to both storage controller ports. This ensures that if a switch, HBA, or storage controller fails, the host can still reach at least one storage controller via the remaining path. The dual-zoning per HBA allows each host to access both controllers without a single point of failure, meeting the requirement for host-to-controller reachability.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 350-601 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-601 exam.
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