- A
3
3 nodes allow one failure while still having two replicas available.
- B
4
Why wrong: 4 is possible but not minimum.
- C
2
Why wrong: With 2 nodes, if one fails, data may be lost.
- D
5
Why wrong: 5 exceeds minimum.
Question 107 of 1,000
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. 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.
In a HyperFlex cluster with replication factor 2 (RF2), what is the minimum number of nodes required to sustain a single node failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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
✓
3
In a HyperFlex cluster with replication factor 2 (RF2), each data block is stored on two different nodes. To survive a single node failure, the cluster must have at least three nodes: two nodes to hold the two replicas of the data, and a third node to provide a witness (or tie-breaker) for cluster quorum and to ensure data availability during the failure. With only two nodes, a single failure would leave only one replica, violating the RF2 requirement and potentially causing data loss or cluster unavailability.
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.
- ✓
3
Why this is correct
3 nodes allow one failure while still having two replicas available.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
4
Why it's wrong here
4 is possible but not minimum.
- ✗
2
Why it's wrong here
With 2 nodes, if one fails, data may be lost.
- ✗
5
Why it's wrong here
5 exceeds minimum.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that RF2 requires only two nodes to survive a failure, but the trap is that without a third node for quorum and replica redundancy, a single node failure in a 2-node cluster would leave only one copy of the data, violating the replication factor and causing data loss.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
HyperFlex uses a distributed storage controller (SCVM) on each node and a replication factor of 2 means each data chunk is written to two different nodes. The cluster relies on a quorum mechanism (typically using a witness node or a tie-breaker disk) to maintain consistency and avoid split-brain scenarios; with RF2, a 3-node cluster ensures that after one node fails, the remaining two nodes can still form a quorum and serve all data replicas. In real-world deployments, Cisco recommends a minimum of 3 nodes for RF2 to guarantee fault tolerance, and scaling to 4 or more nodes provides additional capacity and performance, not just redundancy.
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.
- →
Compute — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Compute practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 350-601 question test?
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: 3 — In a HyperFlex cluster with replication factor 2 (RF2), each data block is stored on two different nodes. To survive a single node failure, the cluster must have at least three nodes: two nodes to hold the two replicas of the data, and a third node to provide a witness (or tie-breaker) for cluster quorum and to ensure data availability during the failure. With only two nodes, a single failure would leave only one replica, violating the RF2 requirement and potentially causing data loss or cluster unavailability.
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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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