Quick Answer
The answer is one. A single UCS Mini fabric interconnect is sufficient because it internally aggregates both the two 10GbE data connections from each blade’s integrated VIC and the single 1GbE management connection from the CIMC, supporting up to eight blade servers in a single chassis without requiring a second FI for non-redundant designs. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of UCS Mini’s simplified architecture, where the fabric interconnect serves as the unified access layer for both data and management traffic—a key distinction from full UCS systems that typically require a pair of FIs for redundancy. A common trap is assuming two FIs are always needed, but UCS Mini explicitly supports single-FI deployments for remote offices with fewer than eight blades. Memory tip: “One FI for a mini sky”—if the chassis has eight or fewer blades, one fabric interconnect is enough.
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.
An engineer is designing a UCS Mini deployment for a remote office. The chassis will contain four blade servers. Each server needs two 10GbE connections for data and one 1GbE for management. What is the minimum number of fabric interconnects required?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
One
UCS Mini can operate with a single FI for up to four blades, meeting the requirement.
Three
Why wrong: UCS Mini does not support three FIs.
Four
Why wrong: UCS Mini only supports one or two FIs.
Two
Why wrong: Two FIs provide redundancy but are not the minimum.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
One
A single UCS Mini fabric interconnect (FI) can provide both data and management connectivity for up to eight blade servers in a single chassis. Each blade server requires two 10GbE data connections (from the integrated VIC) and one 1GbE management connection (from the Cisco Integrated Management Controller, or CIMC). The FI aggregates these connections internally, so one FI is sufficient for a four-server deployment, as UCS Mini supports a single FI configuration for non-redundant setups.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
One
Why this is correct
UCS Mini can operate with a single FI for up to four blades, meeting the requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Three
Why it's wrong here
UCS Mini does not support three FIs.
Four
Why it's wrong here
UCS Mini only supports one or two FIs.
Two
Why it's wrong here
Two FIs provide redundancy but are not the minimum.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that each blade server's management connection requires a separate physical port or that two FIs are always needed for any UCS deployment, but UCS Mini's integrated architecture allows a single FI to handle both data and management for up to eight blades.
Detailed technical explanation
UCS Mini uses a single FI (e.g., UCS 6324) that integrates both the fabric interconnect and the chassis I/O module (IOM) functionality. Each blade server's VIC (Virtual Interface Card) creates multiple virtual NICs (vNICs) over the 10GbE uplinks, with one vNIC dedicated to CIMC management traffic (typically using VLAN 1 or a dedicated management VLAN). The FI internally maps these vNICs to the appropriate data and management networks, eliminating the need for separate physical management ports.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Compute — study guide chapter
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Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 study guide
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FAQ
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: One — A single UCS Mini fabric interconnect (FI) can provide both data and management connectivity for up to eight blade servers in a single chassis. Each blade server requires two 10GbE data connections (from the integrated VIC) and one 1GbE management connection (from the Cisco Integrated Management Controller, or CIMC). The FI aggregates these connections internally, so one FI is sufficient for a four-server deployment, as UCS Mini supports a single FI configuration for non-redundant setups.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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