The answer is that the secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade. In a UCS domain, a hitless firmware upgrade requires the secondary FI to first sync the new firmware from the primary, then reboot independently. If this synchronization fails, the secondary boots with an incompatible or missing image, causing data plane disruption for servers in its path—while the management plane stays responsive because the primary FI continues handling GUI and CLI traffic. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of UCS firmware upgrade mechanics and the critical role of image synchronization; a common trap is assuming the management plane’s responsiveness means the data plane is also healthy. Remember the memory tip: “Sync the secondary first, or the data plane gets worse.”
350-601 Compute Practice Question
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.
During a UCS firmware upgrade, the upgrade fails on a few servers in a chassis. The administrators notice that the management plane is still responsive, but the data plane is disrupted. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade.
The most likely cause is that the secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade. In a UCS domain, firmware upgrades are typically performed in a hitless manner by first upgrading the secondary Fabric Interconnect, which requires the firmware image to be synchronized from the primary. If synchronization fails, the secondary may boot with an incompatible or missing firmware, causing data plane disruption while the management plane remains responsive because the primary still handles management traffic.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
The secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade.
Why this is correct
Incomplete sync causes differing firmware versions between FIs, leading to data plane issues.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The boot policy was changed during maintenance.
Why it's wrong here
Boot policy changes are independent of firmware upgrade.
✗
The server memory is exhausted due to high traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Memory exhaustion is not related to firmware upgrade failure.
✗
The service profiles were not updated after the upgrade.
Why it's wrong here
Service profiles do not affect the upgrade process itself.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a failed upgrade always results in a complete loss of connectivity, but the trap here is that the management plane can remain operational even when the data plane is disrupted due to a firmware synchronization failure on the secondary Fabric Interconnect.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
During a UCS firmware upgrade, the secondary Fabric Interconnect must download the firmware image from the primary via the internal Ethernet fabric (using TFTP or FTP). If the image fails to synchronize (e.g., due to network congestion, insufficient disk space, or corruption), the secondary may boot into a partial or incompatible firmware version, breaking the data plane (e.g., VIFs, port channels) while the management plane (e.g., CLI, XML API) remains functional. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs when administrators skip the 'show firmware sync-status' verification before initiating the upgrade.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade. — The most likely cause is that the secondary Fabric Interconnect did not synchronize the firmware image before the upgrade. In a UCS domain, firmware upgrades are typically performed in a hitless manner by first upgrading the secondary Fabric Interconnect, which requires the firmware image to be synchronized from the primary. If synchronization fails, the secondary may boot with an incompatible or missing firmware, causing data plane disruption while the management plane remains responsive because the primary still handles management traffic.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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