The answer is that interfaces connecting to the core switch must be configured as NP ports. This is correct because in N-Port Virtualization (NPV) mode, a Cisco MDS switch acts as a proxy for end-device logins, forwarding fabric login requests upstream to a core switch. The NP port is the uplink port on the NPV switch that connects to an F port on the core switch, effectively behaving like a host N port but with the added responsibility of multiplexing multiple virtual N ports over a single physical link. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how NPV reduces domain IDs in a Fibre Channel fabric by eliminating the need for the edge switch to participate in fabric services. A common trap is confusing NP ports with the F ports on the core switch—remember, the NP port is always on the NPV (edge) side. Memory tip: NP stands for "N-Port proxy," so think of it as the proxy port that speaks for all the hosts behind it.
350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of storage network. 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 TWO statements about NPV configuration on a Cisco MDS switch are true? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
NPV mode is enabled globally with the 'npv enable' command.
Options A and B are correct. Others are incorrect.
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 core switch must have NPV enabled as well.
Why it's wrong here
Core switch should not be NPV; it should be standard switch.
✓
NPV mode is enabled globally with the 'npv enable' command.
Why this is correct
Yes, 'npv enable' in global config.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
All downstream interfaces must be F ports.
Why it's wrong here
Downstream can be F or FL for loop.
✓
Interfaces connecting to the core switch must be configured as NP ports.
Why this is correct
They must be NP ports (upstream).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
NPV mode is configured per VSAN.
Why it's wrong here
NPV is global, not per VSAN.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 350-601 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: NPV mode is enabled globally with the 'npv enable' command. — Options A and B are correct. Others are incorrect.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which 350-601 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. Which TWO statements about NPV (N_Port Virtualization) are correct? (Choose two.)
easy
✓ A.NPV allows a NPV switch to forward traffic from multiple host ports to the core switch via a few uplinks.
✓ B.NPV helps scale the fabric by reducing the number of FC domain IDs required.
C.NPV uses Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR) to forward traffic between VSANs.
D.NPV requires FCoE encapsulation.
E.NPV allows a single physical port to have multiple N-port IDs.
Why A: NPV allows a switch to act as a proxy for N-port login to a core switch. Option A is correct: NPV reduces the number of domain IDs. Option B is wrong: NPV does not require FCoE; it works with native FC. Option C is correct: NPV is used in edge switches to connect many hosts to a core fabric. Option D is wrong: NPIV is for multiple N-port IDs on a single physical port, not NPV. Option E is wrong: NPV does not need IVR; it uses a single uplink.
Variation 2. Which TWO statements about NPV (N_Port Virtualization) mode in FC networks are correct?
hard
✓ A.NPV is commonly used in top-of-rack (ToR) deployments to simplify SAN cabling.
B.An NPV switch connects to the core switch using E-ports.
C.NPV switches can be used to connect FC and FCoE devices without a separate FCoE VLAN.
✓ D.NPV reduces the number of FC domain IDs required in the fabric.
E.NPV switches perform fabric login (FLOGI) on behalf of attached devices.
Why A: Option A is correct because NPV is specifically designed for top-of-rack (ToR) deployments to reduce the number of physical cables and simplify SAN cabling. In NPV mode, the ToR switch acts as a transparent proxy, forwarding FLOGI requests from end devices to the core NPV-enabled switch, which handles all fabric services. This eliminates the need for each ToR switch to have its own domain ID, reducing management complexity.
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Question Discussion
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