350-601 Compute Practice Question
You manage a UCS domain with two fabric interconnects (FI-A and FI-B) in an cluster. The domain contains 8 blade servers. After a power failure, both FIs come back online, but the cluster experiences a split-brain situation where both FIs claim to be primary. The subordinate FI (FI-B) shows all blades as 'Discovery' state. You suspect configuration mismatch. You have console access to both FIs. Which recovery procedure should be performed to restore a stable cluster?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that a split-brain scenario requires a full factory reset or flash clearing, when in fact the targeted recovery of the subordinate FI via recovery mode and cluster reset is the correct, less destructive procedure.
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
✓
On the subordinate FI (FI-B), enter the recovery mode and force a re-initialization, then reset the cluster
In a UCS split-brain scenario where the subordinate FI (FI-B) shows blades in 'Discovery' state due to a configuration mismatch, the proper recovery is to boot FI-B into recovery mode (using the 'recovery' boot option or pressing Ctrl+R at the appropriate prompt) and force a re-initialization, which resets its configuration to match the primary FI (FI-A). After re-initialization, resetting the cluster (via the 'cluster reset' command or equivalent) re-establishes the primary-subordinate relationship and synchronizes the configuration, restoring stable operation without affecting the primary FI's data or requiring a full factory reset.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Reset both FIs to factory defaults and reconfigure from backup
Why it's wrong here
Unnecessarily destructive, backup may not be available
- ✗
Boot the FIs into the EFI shell and clear the flash
Why it's wrong here
EFI is for firmware issues, not cluster state
- ✗
Perform a stateful switchover (SSO) on both FIs
Why it's wrong here
SSO is for fault tolerance, not split-brain recovery
- ✓
On the subordinate FI (FI-B), enter the recovery mode and force a re-initialization, then reset the cluster
Why this is correct
Standard UCS split-brain recovery procedure
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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