350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
Which TWO statements about NPV (N_Port Virtualization) mode in FC networks are correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between NP-ports and E-ports, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly think NPV switches use E-ports for uplinks, when in fact they use NP-ports to avoid introducing additional domain IDs.
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
✓
NPV is commonly used in top-of-rack (ToR) deployments to simplify SAN cabling.
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
NPV is commonly used in top-of-rack (ToR) deployments to simplify SAN cabling.
Why this is correct
NPV switches are placed at the top of the rack to aggregate server connections.
- ✗
An NPV switch connects to the core switch using E-ports.
Why it's wrong here
NPV switches use N-ports to connect to the core switch's NP-ports.
- ✗
NPV switches can be used to connect FC and FCoE devices without a separate FCoE VLAN.
Why it's wrong here
FCoE devices require a dedicated VLAN and FCoE initialization protocol (FIP).
- ✓
NPV reduces the number of FC domain IDs required in the fabric.
Why this is correct
NPV switches don't participate in principal switch selection, so no domain ID is consumed.
- ✗
NPV switches perform fabric login (FLOGI) on behalf of attached devices.
Why it's wrong here
NPV switches forward FLOGI from devices to the core switch, which performs the login.
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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.