Quick Answer
The correct answer is to assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA. This is necessary because the Fibre Channel fabric uses the World Wide Port Name to identify the initiator and maintain the zoning that maps the boot LUN to the server; a persistent WWPN guarantees that after any reboot or vHBA reconfiguration, the same identity is presented to the SAN, preventing the boot path from breaking. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of UCS service profile configuration for SAN boot, often appearing as a distractor where dynamic WWPN assignment seems simpler but will cause boot failures after a server restart. A common trap is confusing WWPN persistence with WWNN persistence—remember that the port-level identifier (WWPN) is what the SAN fabric zones on, not the node-level WWNN. Memory tip: “Persist the Port to keep the Path.”
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. 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 data center engineer is deploying a new application on Cisco UCS Manager. The application requires consistent low-latency access to storage. The engineer decides to use SAN boot from a Fibre Channel SAN. Which configuration change is necessary on the UCS service profile to enable SAN boot?
Enable VIF (Virtual Interface) on the vHBA
Why wrong: VIF is used in FCoE NPV mode, not for SAN boot.
Configure a QoS policy for the vHBA
Why wrong: QoS policy does not enable SAN boot.
Set the vNIC to use dynamic MAC address
Why wrong: Dynamic MAC is for LAN, not SAN boot.
Assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA
Persistent WWPN ensures the SAN target recognizes the server.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA
To enable SAN boot from a Fibre Channel SAN, the UCS service profile must assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA. The WWPN is used by the Fibre Channel fabric to identify the initiator and to zone the storage LUNs; a persistent WWPN ensures that after a server reboot or vHBA reconfiguration, the same WWPN is presented to the SAN, allowing the boot LUN to remain accessible. Without a persistent WWPN, the vHBA would use a dynamically generated WWPN, which would break the SAN zoning and boot path.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Enable VIF (Virtual Interface) on the vHBA
Why it's wrong here
VIF is used in FCoE NPV mode, not for SAN boot.
Configure a QoS policy for the vHBA
Why it's wrong here
QoS policy does not enable SAN boot.
Set the vNIC to use dynamic MAC address
Why it's wrong here
Dynamic MAC is for LAN, not SAN boot.
Assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA
Why this is correct
Persistent WWPN ensures the SAN target recognizes the server.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between vNIC (Ethernet) and vHBA (Fibre Channel) configurations, and the trap here is that candidates confuse MAC address persistence (for vNICs) with WWPN persistence (for vHBAs), leading them to incorrectly select Option C.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the WWPN is stored in the UCS service profile and is assigned to the vHBA at server boot time; the Fibre Channel switch uses this WWPN to enforce zoning and LUN masking. In a real-world scenario, if a dynamic WWPN were used, any server replacement or vHBA reconfiguration would require re-zoning the SAN, causing downtime; persistent WWPNs enable stateless computing where the server identity remains constant across hardware changes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA — To enable SAN boot from a Fibre Channel SAN, the UCS service profile must assign a persistent WWPN to the vHBA. The WWPN is used by the Fibre Channel fabric to identify the initiator and to zone the storage LUNs; a persistent WWPN ensures that after a server reboot or vHBA reconfiguration, the same WWPN is presented to the SAN, allowing the boot LUN to remain accessible. Without a persistent WWPN, the vHBA would use a dynamically generated WWPN, which would break the SAN zoning and boot path.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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Variation 1. Which three components are required to boot a UCS blade server from SAN? (Choose three.)
easyWhy A: A SAN boot target LUN is required because the UCS blade server needs a specific logical unit number (LUN) on the storage array from which to boot the operating system. Without a designated boot LUN, the server has no target storage device to load the OS from over the Fibre Channel (FC) or FCoE SAN fabric.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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