FCoE FCF Configuration on Cisco Nexus: Required Steps
Which TWO are required for FCoE communication on a Nexus switch configured as an FCF? (Choose two.)
Quick Answer
The answer is a dedicated FCoE VLAN and DCBX exchange to enable priority flow control. These two elements are required for FCoE communication on a Nexus switch configured as an FCF because the FCoE VLAN isolates Fibre Channel frames from standard Ethernet traffic, preventing misclassification, while DCBX negotiates Priority Flow Control (PFC) to guarantee the lossless transport that FCoE demands. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of FCoE initialization and the FCF role in a converged network; a common trap is assuming that FCoE can run over any VLAN without PFC, or that FIP snooping alone suffices. Remember the memory tip: “VLAN isolates, DCBX negotiates lossless lanes.”
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a dedicated FCoE VLAN (required) and jumbo frame support (optional), leading candidates to mistakenly select jumbo frames as a requirement when they are not mandatory for basic FCoE operation.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A dedicated FCoE VLAN
In an FCoE FCF (Fabric Connect) configuration on a Nexus switch, a dedicated FCoE VLAN is required to carry FCoE traffic. This VLAN must be separate from standard Ethernet VLANs to prevent FCoE frames from being processed as regular Ethernet frames. Additionally, DCBX (Data Center Bridging Exchange) must be used to negotiate and enable Priority Flow Control (PFC) on the link, ensuring lossless behavior for FCoE traffic.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Jumbo frame support on the VLAN
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Jumbo frames are optional and not strictly required.
- ✗
VSAN configuration for the FCoE VLAN
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: VSANs are not used in FCoE; they are Fibre Channel.
- ✗
NPV enabled on the switch
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: NPV is for attaching to an upstream switch, not for FCoE.
- ✓
A dedicated FCoE VLAN
Why this is correct
Correct: FCoE traffic is mapped to a specific VLAN.
- ✓
DCBX exchange to enable priority flow control
Why this is correct
Correct: DCBX ensures lossless behavior for FCoE.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 350-601
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A team is configuring FCoE on a Cisco Nexus switch. Which TWO steps are mandatory to establish a lossless FCoE link?
medium- ✓ A.Enable FCoE on the interface using the 'fcoe' command
- B.Enable Priority Flow Control (PFC) as a separate CLI
- ✓ C.Create a VSAN and map it to an FCoE VLAN
- D.Configure DCBX to advertise and negotiate FCoE capabilities
- E.Set the MTU to 9216 bytes to accommodate FCoE frames
Why A: The 'fcoe' interface command is mandatory to enable FCoE processing on a specific interface. Without this command, the interface will not participate in FCoE traffic. Option C is correct because a VSAN must be created and mapped to an FCoE VLAN for the Fibre Channel fabric to recognize the FCoE link. This mapping allows the switch to associate the Ethernet VLAN with a VSAN for FC forwarding. Options B and D are not mandatory because Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Data Center Bridging eXchange (DCBX) are automatically enabled when FCoE is configured on the interface. Option E is not mandatory because although FCoE requires jumbo frames, the MTU can be set globally or is often already set to support FCoE, and it is not a separate mandatory step for link establishment.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-601 exam.