350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
An engineer needs to connect a new server to an existing FC SAN. The server is located 50 km away from the data center. Which technology should be used to extend the FC SAN over this distance?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between FC extension protocols (FCIP) and alternative storage protocols (iSCSI, FCoE), trapping candidates who confuse 'extending FC' with 'replacing FC' or who assume long-reach optics can overcome distance limits without protocol adaptation.
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
✓
FCIP
FCIP (Fibre Channel over IP) is the correct choice because it encapsulates Fibre Channel frames inside TCP/IP packets, enabling the extension of FC SANs over long distances (beyond the 10 km limit of standard optics) by leveraging existing IP WAN infrastructure. This allows the 50 km connection while preserving native Fibre Channel semantics and fabric services.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
iSCSI
Why it's wrong here
iSCSI is a different storage protocol, not an extension of FC.
- ✓
FCIP
Why this is correct
FCIP is designed to extend FC over long distances using IP networks.
- ✗
FCoE
Why it's wrong here
FCoE is intended for local data center convergence, not long distance.
- ✗
Direct FC connection with 10km optics
Why it's wrong here
Even with long-range optics, 50 km exceeds typical FC distance limits.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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