- A
Leaf switch
Why wrong: Leaf switches forward traffic but do not centrally manage policies.
- B
DCNM
Why wrong: DCNM is a management tool for NX-OS fabrics, not ACI-specific controller.
- C
APIC controller
The APIC is the central policy and management controller in ACI.
- D
Spine switch
Why wrong: Spine switches provide connectivity but are not policy managers.
Question 276 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 is responsible for policy enforcement and management of the entire infrastructure?
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 controller
The APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) is the central policy and management entity in Cisco ACI. It enforces the application-centric policy model, manages the fabric's operational state, and provides the single point of configuration and monitoring for the entire ACI fabric. Without the APIC, the leaf and spine switches operate as standalone devices with no centralized policy enforcement.
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.
- ✗
Leaf switch
Why it's wrong here
Leaf switches forward traffic but do not centrally manage policies.
- ✗
DCNM
Why it's wrong here
DCNM is a management tool for NX-OS fabrics, not ACI-specific controller.
- ✓
APIC controller
Why this is correct
The APIC is the central policy and management controller in ACI.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Spine switch
Why it's wrong here
Spine switches provide connectivity but are not policy managers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that leaf switches perform policy enforcement independently, but in ACI, leaf switches are policy-enforcement points that receive all policy definitions from the APIC, not autonomous decision-makers.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The APIC uses a distributed policy database replicated across the APIC cluster, ensuring high availability. It communicates with leaf and spine switches via the OpFlex protocol (based on the OpFlex policy model) to push policy objects, while the switches use the VXLAN-based overlay (with MP-BGP EVPN for control-plane distribution) to enforce those policies. In a real-world scenario, if the APIC cluster is lost, the fabric continues forwarding traffic based on the last known policy state, but no policy changes can be made until the APIC is restored.
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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Network — study guide chapter
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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 controller — The APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller) is the central policy and management entity in Cisco ACI. It enforces the application-centric policy model, manages the fabric's operational state, and provides the single point of configuration and monitoring for the entire ACI fabric. Without the APIC, the leaf and spine switches operate as standalone devices with no centralized policy enforcement.
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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