The answer is inadequate number of credits allocated to the port, long distances, and link errors. Fibre Channel buffer credits manage flow control by allowing a sender to transmit a set number of frames before receiving an acknowledgment; starvation occurs when credits are consumed faster than they are replenished, often due to propagation delay over long distances requiring more credits, or link errors that cause retransmissions and drain the credit pool. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of FC flow control fundamentals and common misconfigurations—a frequent trap is confusing oversubscription (which impacts bandwidth, not credits) or multiple VSANs (which don’t directly starve credits) with actual credit depletion. Remember the mnemonic “LIE” for the three causes: Long distances, Insufficient credits, and Errors.
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
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.
Which THREE conditions can cause Fibre Channel buffer credit starvation? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Frequent CRC errors causing retransmissions
Options A, C, and E are correct. Long distances require more credits; link errors cause credits to be consumed; small credit pools limit available credits. Option B is incorrect because oversubscription affects bandwidth, not credits. Option D is incorrect because multiple VSANs don't directly starve credits.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Frequent CRC errors causing retransmissions
Why this is correct
Correct: Retransmissions consume credits without releasing them.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✓
Long-distance links with insufficient credits allocated
Why this is correct
Correct: Each link distance requires a minimum number of credits.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
High oversubscription ratio on the ISL
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Oversubscription causes congestion, not credit starvation.
✗
Multiple VSANs configured on the same trunk
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: VSAN trunking does not affect buffer credits individually.
✓
Inadequate number of credits allocated to the port
Why this is correct
Correct: If the pool is too small, credit starvation occurs.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-601 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Frequent CRC errors causing retransmissions — Options A, C, and E are correct. Long distances require more credits; link errors cause credits to be consumed; small credit pools limit available credits. Option B is incorrect because oversubscription affects bandwidth, not credits. Option D is incorrect because multiple VSANs don't directly starve credits.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-601 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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