Quick Answer
The correct first check is to verify that the UCS Fabric Interconnect is physically connected to the SAN switches. This is the logical starting point because, even with a correctly associated service profile, a SAN boot policy, and a properly mapped LUN, the Fabric Interconnect must have a functional link to the SAN fabric to forward FCP frames to the storage array. Without this Layer 1 or Layer 2 connectivity, the blade cannot discover the boot LUN, making any deeper zoning or configuration troubleshooting premature. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your ability to prioritize physical-layer verification over logical configuration checks—a common trap is diving into Fibre Channel zoning or VSAN mismatches when the root cause is a disconnected cable or a down interface. Remember the memory tip: “Link before LUN” — always confirm the FI-to-SAN link is up before blaming the storage mapping.
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 troubleshooting a Cisco UCS B-Series blade that fails to boot. The service profile is associated and the boot policy is set to 'SAN Boot'. The storage administrator confirms the LUN is properly mapped to the WWPN. Which check should the engineer perform first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Verify that the UCS Fabric Interconnect is connected to the SAN switches
Without fabric connectivity, the server cannot reach the storage.
Reboot the chassis to reinitialize the IOM
Why wrong: Rebooting chassis is unnecessary and disruptive.
Check that the vHBA has a dynamic WWPN assigned
Why wrong: Dynamic WWPNs are fine; the issue is connectivity.
Ensure the local disk is set as primary boot device
Why wrong: SAN boot bypasses local disk.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Verify that the UCS Fabric Interconnect is connected to the SAN switches
Since the service profile is associated, the boot policy is set to SAN Boot, and the LUN is properly mapped to the WWPN, the most likely cause is a physical or Layer 2 connectivity issue between the UCS Fabric Interconnect and the SAN switches. Without this link, the fabric interconnect cannot forward FCP frames to the storage array, preventing the blade from discovering the boot LUN. Verifying this connection is the logical first step before investigating other configuration or zoning issues.
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.
Verify that the UCS Fabric Interconnect is connected to the SAN switches
Why this is correct
Without fabric connectivity, the server cannot reach the storage.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Reboot the chassis to reinitialize the IOM
Why it's wrong here
Rebooting chassis is unnecessary and disruptive.
Check that the vHBA has a dynamic WWPN assigned
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic WWPNs are fine; the issue is connectivity.
Ensure the local disk is set as primary boot device
Why it's wrong here
SAN boot bypasses local disk.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the misconception that a properly mapped LUN and associated service profile guarantee SAN boot success, leading candidates to overlook the physical or Layer 2 connectivity between the Fabric Interconnect and the SAN switches.
Detailed technical explanation
In UCS B-Series, the Fabric Interconnect acts as the Fibre Channel forwarder, encapsulating FCP frames into FCoE to the IOM and then de-encapsulating them for transmission over native FC to the SAN. If the FC uplink ports on the Fabric Interconnect are not connected or are in an error-disabled state (e.g., due to a mismatch in port VSAN or trunk mode), the entire SAN boot path fails. A common real-world scenario is a missing or misconfigured FC port channel (SAN Port Channel) between the Fabric Interconnect and the SAN switch, which can be verified using the `show interface fc` or `show port-channel summary` commands on the Fabric Interconnect.
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.
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FAQ
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Verify that the UCS Fabric Interconnect is connected to the SAN switches — Since the service profile is associated, the boot policy is set to SAN Boot, and the LUN is properly mapped to the WWPN, the most likely cause is a physical or Layer 2 connectivity issue between the UCS Fabric Interconnect and the SAN switches. Without this link, the fabric interconnect cannot forward FCP frames to the storage array, preventing the blade from discovering the boot LUN. Verifying this connection is the logical first step before investigating other configuration or zoning issues.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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