The correct answer is that the NPV switch uses FDISC to register multiple N-Port IDs from a single physical link. This is because in N_Port Virtualization (NPV) mode, the Cisco MDS switch acts as a transparent passthrough, aggregating traffic from multiple end devices onto one uplink to the core Fibre Channel switch. Rather than performing its own fabric login, the NPV switch relies on the Fabric Discovery (FDISC) protocol to request individual FC IDs from the core switch for each connected end device, enabling NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization) over that single physical link. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how NPV reduces the number of core-facing ports while preserving end-device identity—a common trap is confusing NPV with NPIV, but remember: NPV is the switch mode, while FDISC is the protocol it uses to register multiple IDs. Memory tip: think “NPV uses FDISC to ask the core for IDs,” like a receptionist (NPV) using a phone (FDISC) to get room keys (FC IDs) for each guest.
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage 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.
A Cisco MDS switch is configured as an NPV switch to connect to a core switch. Which statement about NPV operation is true?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The NPV switch uses FDISC to register multiple N-Port IDs from a single physical link.
In N_Port Virtualization (NPV) mode, a Cisco MDS switch acts as a passthrough device that aggregates multiple end-device N_Ports onto a single uplink to a core Fibre Channel switch. The NPV switch uses the Fabric Discovery (FDISC) protocol to register multiple N_Port IDs (NPIV) from a single physical link, allowing each end device to obtain its own FC ID from the core switch. This is correct because NPV does not assign FC IDs itself but relies on the core switch for fabric login and address assignment.
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 NPV switch allocates FC IDs to end devices from its own pool.
Why it's wrong here
FC IDs are allocated by the core fabric login server, not the NPV switch.
✓
The NPV switch uses FDISC to register multiple N-Port IDs from a single physical link.
Why this is correct
NPV uses FDISC to multiplex multiple N-Port IDs over the NP uplink to the core.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The NPV switch requires at least one VSAN to be defined as a fabric VSAN.
Why it's wrong here
NPV works in default VSAN but a fabric VSAN is not required.
✗
The NPV switch performs fabric login (FLOGI) on behalf of all attached end devices.
Why it's wrong here
NPV switch performs NPIV FLOGI but not on behalf of all end devices; it handles FDISC for N-Port ID virtualization.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that an NPV switch performs fabric login or assigns FC IDs locally, when in fact it only forwards FLOGI/FDISC requests to the core switch and never allocates addresses itself.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, NPV leverages NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization) to allow multiple FC initiators to share a single physical N_Port on the NPV switch, each obtaining a unique FC ID from the core switch's fabric login server. A real-world scenario is in large data centers where NPV reduces the number of FC switch domains and simplifies management by aggregating hundreds of server HBA connections onto a few uplinks to a director-class core switch. The NPV switch does not generate or process fabric control frames like FLOGI or FDISC; it transparently forwards them to the core switch, which handles all fabric services.
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.
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The NPV switch uses FDISC to register multiple N-Port IDs from a single physical link. — In N_Port Virtualization (NPV) mode, a Cisco MDS switch acts as a passthrough device that aggregates multiple end-device N_Ports onto a single uplink to a core Fibre Channel switch. The NPV switch uses the Fabric Discovery (FDISC) protocol to register multiple N_Port IDs (NPIV) from a single physical link, allowing each end device to obtain its own FC ID from the core switch. This is correct because NPV does not assign FC IDs itself but relies on the core switch for fabric login and address assignment.
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.
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Question Discussion
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