350-601 Network Practice Question
In Cisco ACI, which component is responsible for translating EPG communication policies into concrete configuration on leaf switches?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that leaf switches are 'intelligent' enough to translate policies themselves, but in ACI the leaf is a stateless enforcement point that relies entirely on the APIC for policy translation and distribution.
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 controller is the centralized policy engine in Cisco ACI. It translates high-level EPG communication policies (contracts, filters, subjects) into the concrete switch configuration (e.g., OpFlex policy elements, VXLAN tunnel mappings, and hardware table entries) and pushes them to leaf switches via the OpFlex protocol. Without the APIC, leaf switches cannot autonomously interpret or apply these policies.
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
Leaves receive programmed policies, they do not translate.
- ✓
APIC controller
Why this is correct
APIC translates the policy model into switch configurations.
- ✗
Spine switch
Why it's wrong here
Spines handle inter-leaf traffic, not policy translation.
- ✗
VMM domain
Why it's wrong here
VMM domain integrates hypervisor, not policy translation.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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