Quick Answer
The answer is VSAN (Virtual SAN). This technology is the correct choice because it enables an engineer to partition a single physical Fibre Channel fabric into multiple isolated logical SANs, each with its own fabric services, security policies, and traffic isolation, ensuring that storage traffic from different departments never interferes. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of Fibre Channel virtualization and appears in questions about storage traffic isolation versus VLANs or zoning—a common trap is confusing VSANs with zones, but remember that VSANs create separate fabric instances, while zones only restrict communication within a single VSAN. A helpful memory tip: think of VSAN as “virtual fabrics” that provide complete isolation, not just access control.
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 needs to isolate storage traffic for different departments using Fibre Channel switches. Which technology should be used?
Zoning
Why wrong: Incorrect: Zoning controls access but does not provide traffic isolation.
Trunking
Why wrong: Incorrect: Trunking allows multiple VSANs on a single link.
NPV (N-Port Virtualization)
Why wrong: Incorrect: NPV is used to reduce Fibre Channel domain IDs, not isolation.
VSAN (Virtual SAN)
Correct: VSANs create separate Fibre Channel fabrics for isolation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
VSAN (Virtual SAN)
VSAN (Virtual SAN) is the correct technology because it allows the engineer to create multiple isolated virtual SANs on a single physical Fibre Channel fabric. Each VSAN operates as an independent SAN with its own fabric services, security policies, and traffic isolation, enabling different departments to have dedicated storage traffic without interference.
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.
Zoning
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Zoning controls access but does not provide traffic isolation.
Trunking
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Trunking allows multiple VSANs on a single link.
NPV (N-Port Virtualization)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: NPV is used to reduce Fibre Channel domain IDs, not isolation.
VSAN (Virtual SAN)
Why this is correct
Correct: VSANs create separate Fibre Channel fabrics for isolation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between zoning and VSANs, where candidates mistakenly believe that zoning alone provides full traffic isolation, but zoning only controls device communication within a single VSAN and does not isolate fabric services or management domains.
Detailed technical explanation
VSANs partition a physical Fibre Channel fabric into multiple logical fabrics, each with its own set of fabric services such as name server, zone server, and FSPF (Fabric Shortest Path First). This allows each department's VSAN to have independent zone sets, security policies, and traffic domains, ensuring complete isolation even if the physical infrastructure is shared. In a real-world scenario, a company with finance and engineering departments can use VSANs to guarantee that storage traffic from one department never crosses into the other's fabric services.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: VSAN (Virtual SAN) — VSAN (Virtual SAN) is the correct technology because it allows the engineer to create multiple isolated virtual SANs on a single physical Fibre Channel fabric. Each VSAN operates as an independent SAN with its own fabric services, security policies, and traffic isolation, enabling different departments to have dedicated storage traffic without interference.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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