The answer is that the third target is not a member of ZONE1. In Fibre Channel zoning, communication is strictly limited to members within the same zone; a device outside the zone is invisible to other zone members, even if it resides in the same VSAN. This explains why the host can see the target in ZONE1 but not the third target—the zoneset activation succeeded, but the third target was never added to the zone. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that zoning operates as a whitelist: only explicitly zoned devices can communicate, and a common trap is assuming all devices in a VSAN are automatically visible. Remember the memory tip: “If it’s not in the zone, it’s alone.”
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
<config>
zone name ZONE1 vsan 10
member pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:01
member pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:02
zoneset name ZONESET1 vsan 10
member ZONE1
</config>
Refer to the exhibit. After applying this configuration, the engineer activates the zoneset with 'zoneset activate name ZONESET1 vsan 10'. The host with pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:01 can communicate with the target with pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:02. However, the host reports that it cannot see a third target with pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:03. What is the most likely reason?
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.
Refer to the exhibit.
<config>
zone name ZONE1 vsan 10
member pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:01
member pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:02
zoneset name ZONESET1 vsan 10
member ZONE1
</config>
A
The third target is in a different VSAN.
Why wrong: The exhibit shows all members in VSAN 10; the target is likely in the same VSAN.
B
The third target is not a member of ZONE1.
Zoning restricts access; only members of the same zone can communicate.
C
The zone name is case-sensitive and does not match.
Why wrong: The zone name in the exhibit is ZONE1; if the configuration matches, case is not an issue.
D
The zoneset was not activated successfully.
Why wrong: The activation command was executed; it would have generated an error if it failed.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The third target is not a member of ZONE1.
The host can communicate with the target in ZONE1 (pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:02) but not with the third target (pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:03). This indicates that the zoneset activation was successful and the host is in the correct VSAN. The most likely reason is that the third target is not a member of ZONE1; in Fibre Channel zoning, only members of the same zone can communicate, and a device not in the zone will be invisible to other zone members.
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 third target is in a different VSAN.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit shows all members in VSAN 10; the target is likely in the same VSAN.
✓
The third target is not a member of ZONE1.
Why this is correct
Zoning restricts access; only members of the same zone can communicate.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The zone name is case-sensitive and does not match.
Why it's wrong here
The zone name in the exhibit is ZONE1; if the configuration matches, case is not an issue.
✗
The zoneset was not activated successfully.
Why it's wrong here
The activation command was executed; it would have generated an error if it failed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume the third target is in a different VSAN or that the zoneset activation failed, but the key is that successful communication with one target proves the zoneset is active and the host is in the correct VSAN, so the issue must be that the third target is simply not a member of the zone.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The exhibit shows all members in VSAN 10; the target is likely in the same VSAN.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Fibre Channel zoning, a zone is a set of devices (identified by pwwn or other attributes) that are allowed to communicate with each other; devices not in the same zone are isolated even if they are in the same VSAN. The zoneset is a collection of zones that can be activated on a VSAN; when activated, only the zones within that zoneset enforce communication. A common real-world scenario is adding a new storage target to the fabric but forgetting to include its pwwn in the appropriate zone, resulting in the host being unable to discover it despite being in the same VSAN.
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 third target is not a member of ZONE1. — The host can communicate with the target in ZONE1 (pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:02) but not with the third target (pwwn 10:00:00:00:c9:aa:bb:03). This indicates that the zoneset activation was successful and the host is in the correct VSAN. The most likely reason is that the third target is not a member of ZONE1; in Fibre Channel zoning, only members of the same zone can communicate, and a device not in the zone will be invisible to other zone members.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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