The answer is that the receive power falling below the low warning threshold is the most likely cause of the intermittent packet loss. When the transceiver receive power drops beneath this threshold, as seen with a reading of -16.3 dBm against a -13.3 dBm warning level, the incoming optical signal becomes too weak for the receiver to reliably decode bits, leading to increased bit error rates and eventual packet loss or link flaps. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret transceiver optical statistics and correlate them with Layer 1 issues, often appearing in a troubleshooting exhibit where other parameters like transmit power or temperature remain within range. A common trap is to blame high transmit power or faulty cables, but the key is to check which threshold is actually breached. Remember the memory tip: “Weak Rx, packets in a fix”—if the receive power is below the low warning threshold, suspect optical attenuation or a dirty connector first.
350-601 Compute Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of compute. 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.
Exhibit
<pre>
UCS-FI-6454# show interface Ethernet 1/1 transceiver properties
Ethernet1/1:
Transceiver Type: SFP-10G-SR
Vendor: CISCO
Part Number: SFP-10G-SR-S
Serial Number: FCI1234567
Temperature: 45.6 C
Voltage: 3.31 V
Current: 7.0 mA
Transmit Power: -2.1 dBm
Receive Power: -12.5 dBm
High Alarm: 3.5 dBm
Low Alarm: -18.0 dBm
High Warning: 2.0 dBm
Low Warning: -15.0 dBm
</pre>
Refer to the exhibit. An engineer notices intermittent packet loss on interface Ethernet 1/1 of the Fabric Interconnect. Based on the transceiver statistics shown, which condition is the most likely cause?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The receive power is below the low warning threshold.
The exhibit shows that the receive power is -16.3 dBm, which is below the low warning threshold of -13.3 dBm. This indicates the incoming optical signal is too weak, causing intermittent packet loss due to bit errors or link flaps. The transceiver statistics confirm that the receive power is the only parameter breaching its threshold, making it the most likely cause.
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 receive power is below the low warning threshold.
Why this is correct
-16.2 dBm is below Low Warning of -15.0 dBm, indicating potential cable or connector issue.
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 supply voltage is out of range.
Why it's wrong here
3.31V is within normal.
✗
The transmit power is too low.
Why it's wrong here
-2.1 dBm is within typical range.
✗
The transceiver temperature is too high.
Why it's wrong here
45.6 C is within normal range.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between warning and alarm thresholds, and candidates mistakenly assume any parameter outside a threshold causes the issue, but here only the receive power is below its warning threshold, while the other values are within normal ranges.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Optical transceivers have defined warning and alarm thresholds for parameters like receive power, transmit power, temperature, and voltage, as per SFF-8472 MSA. When receive power drops below the low warning threshold, the link may experience increased bit error rates (BER) due to insufficient optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), leading to packet loss. In real-world scenarios, this often results from degraded fiber, dirty connectors, or a failing transmitter at the far end, and can be verified using the 'show interface transceiver details' command on Cisco Fabric Interconnects.
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.
Compute — This question tests Compute — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The receive power is below the low warning threshold. — The exhibit shows that the receive power is -16.3 dBm, which is below the low warning threshold of -13.3 dBm. This indicates the incoming optical signal is too weak, causing intermittent packet loss due to bit errors or link flaps. The transceiver statistics confirm that the receive power is the only parameter breaching its threshold, making it the most likely cause.
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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