- A
Spine switch
Why wrong: Spine switches are part of the data plane, not the controller.
- B
APIC
APIC is the centralized policy controller in ACI.
- C
DCNM
Why wrong: DCNM is a management tool but not the ACI controller.
- D
Leaf switch
Why wrong: Leaf switches are data plane switches, not controllers.
Question 324 of 1,000
350-601 Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of network. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
In a Cisco ACI fabric, which component acts as the centralized policy and management controller?
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
✓
APIC
The APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) is the centralized policy and management controller in a Cisco ACI fabric. It serves as the single point of configuration, policy definition, and monitoring for the entire fabric, managing all leaf and spine switches through a declarative model. The APIC does not handle data-plane forwarding but orchestrates the application of policies via the OpFlex protocol and the ACI object model.
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.
- ✗
Spine switch
Why it's wrong here
Spine switches are part of the data plane, not the controller.
- ✓
APIC
Why this is correct
APIC is the centralized policy controller in ACI.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DCNM
Why it's wrong here
DCNM is a management tool but not the ACI controller.
- ✗
Leaf switch
Why it's wrong here
Leaf switches are data plane switches, not controllers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the spine switch is the central controller because it is the top-level device in the fabric topology, but in reality, the spine is a pure data-plane element with no policy or management role.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The APIC uses a distributed database (based on the ACI object model) to store all fabric configurations and policies, which are then pushed to leaf and spine switches via the OpFlex protocol (RFC 7690). In a real-world scenario, if the APIC fails, the fabric continues forwarding traffic based on the last known policy state, but no new policies or changes can be applied until the APIC is restored. The APIC also provides REST API and CLI access for automation, integrating with tools like Ansible or Python scripts.
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 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
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
Network — This question tests Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: APIC — The APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) is the centralized policy and management controller in a Cisco ACI fabric. It serves as the single point of configuration, policy definition, and monitoring for the entire fabric, managing all leaf and spine switches through a declarative model. The APIC does not handle data-plane forwarding but orchestrates the application of policies via the OpFlex protocol and the ACI object model.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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