The answer is that all ports in a port channel must be on the same side of the switch—either all uplink ports or all server-facing ports. This condition is critical because uplink and server-facing ports have fundamentally different forwarding behaviors and VLAN configurations; mixing them would break the port channel’s requirement for consistent operational parameters. On the Cisco DCCOR and CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of UCS Fabric Interconnect port channel conditions, often appearing as a multi-select question with traps like “same speed and duplex” (which is also true but not the unique UCS constraint). A common mistake is assuming any ports can be bundled, but the exam emphasizes that the port type (uplink vs. server-facing) must match. Memory tip: think “same side, same role”—if they face the network or the servers, keep them together.
350-601 Compute Practice Question
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.
Which THREE conditions must be met before a UCS Fabric Interconnect can be part of a port channel? (Select THREE.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
All ports must be on the same side of the switch (either all uplink or all server-facing).
Option B is correct because in a UCS Fabric Interconnect, a port channel can only be formed using ports that are all on the same side of the switch—either all uplink ports (connecting to the upstream network) or all server-facing ports (connecting to FEX or servers). Mixing uplink and server-facing ports in a single port channel is not supported due to the distinct forwarding behaviors and VLAN configurations applied to each port type.
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.
✗
Ports should come from different FEX modules for redundancy.
Why it's wrong here
FEX is not used; ports are on the FI.
✓
All ports must be on the same side of the switch (either all uplink or all server-facing).
Why this is correct
Port channels cannot mix uplink and server ports.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ports should be configured as admin down until the port channel is formed.
The ports must belong to the same virtual port channel (vPC) domain.
Why this is correct
Port channels in UCS are part of a vPC configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
All ports in the port channel must have the same speed and duplex settings.
Why this is correct
Consistent speed/duplex is required for proper operation.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that port channel member ports can be from any combination of port types (e.g., uplink and server-facing), but the correct requirement is that they must all be on the same side of the switch to ensure consistent forwarding behavior.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
UCS Fabric Interconnects use a proprietary port channel implementation that relies on the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for negotiation. The requirement that all ports must be on the same side of the switch stems from the hardware forwarding architecture, where uplink ports and server-facing ports belong to different internal forwarding domains (e.g., northbound vs. southbound traffic). In a real-world scenario, attempting to mix these port types would cause traffic misrouting because the Fabric Interconnect applies different QoS policies and VLAN mappings based on port role.
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 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
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: All ports must be on the same side of the switch (either all uplink or all server-facing). — Option B is correct because in a UCS Fabric Interconnect, a port channel can only be formed using ports that are all on the same side of the switch—either all uplink ports (connecting to the upstream network) or all server-facing ports (connecting to FEX or servers). Mixing uplink and server-facing ports in a single port channel is not supported due to the distinct forwarding behaviors and VLAN configurations applied to each port type.
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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