Quick Answer
The answer is to reduce the number of FCoE VLANs, as this directly lowers the CPU load caused by FIP snooping processing on the Nexus switch. FIP snooping is a control-plane function that validates and forwards FCoE Initialization Protocol frames, and each additional FCoE VLAN increases the volume of these broadcasts the CPU must handle, leading to sustained high utilization above 80%. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how FCoE control-plane scaling impacts CPU performance, often appearing as a trap where disabling FIP snooping or changing DCBx seems logical but would break FCoE functionality or have no effect. A common memory tip is to think "fewer VLANs, less snooping"—the CPU is busy policing per-VLAN FCoE traffic, so trimming VLANs trims the processing overhead.
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. 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.
An engineer notices that the CPU utilization on a Cisco Nexus 5548UP switch is consistently above 80%. The switch is used for FCoE storage traffic. Which action is most likely to reduce CPU utilization?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Configure DCBx will-say mode
Why wrong: DCBx negotiation does not directly impact CPU utilization.
Enable FCoE NPV mode
Why wrong: NPV offloads FLOGI processing but does not significantly reduce CPU from FIP snooping.
Disable FIP snooping
Why wrong: FIP snooping is required for FCoE; disabling it would break connectivity.
Reduce the number of FCoE VLANs
Fewer VLANs means less FIP snooping processing, reducing CPU load.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Reduce the number of FCoE VLANs
Reducing the number of FCoE VLANs decreases the amount of FIP snooping processing, which is a common cause of high CPU. Disabling FIP snooping would break FCoE. Enabling NPV or changing DCBx does not directly reduce CPU.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Configure DCBx will-say mode
Why it's wrong here
DCBx negotiation does not directly impact CPU utilization.
Enable FCoE NPV mode
Why it's wrong here
NPV offloads FLOGI processing but does not significantly reduce CPU from FIP snooping.
Disable FIP snooping
Why it's wrong here
FIP snooping is required for FCoE; disabling it would break connectivity.
Reduce the number of FCoE VLANs
Why this is correct
Fewer VLANs means less FIP snooping processing, reducing CPU load.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Common exam traps
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-601 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
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FAQ
Storage Network — This question tests Storage Network — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
The correct answer is: Reduce the number of FCoE VLANs — Reducing the number of FCoE VLANs decreases the amount of FIP snooping processing, which is a common cause of high CPU. Disabling FIP snooping would break FCoE. Enabling NPV or changing DCBx does not directly reduce CPU.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-601 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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