350-401 Architecture Practice Question
A network architect is designing a new branch office that requires a switch to be managed centrally without a dedicated physical controller appliance on-site. The switch must support fabric capabilities and be onboarded using Plug and Play. Which Cisco Catalyst switch platform should be selected?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming any Catalyst switch supports SD-Access fabric, but older models like the 2960-X do not.
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
✓
Cisco Catalyst 9200
The Catalyst 9200 is a fixed access switch that supports SD-Access fabric edge and can be discovered and onboarded by Cisco DNA Center using Plug and Play, eliminating the need for a local controller. The other platforms either lack fabric support or are designed for different roles.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Cisco Catalyst 9200
Why this is correct
The Catalyst 9200 supports SD-Access fabric edge and can be onboarded via Cisco DNA Center Plug and Play without a local controller. It is designed for branch deployments requiring fabric capabilities, making it the correct choice for this scenario.
- ✗
Cisco Nexus 9000
Why it's wrong here
The Nexus 9000 is a data center switch platform, not intended for branch campus access. It does not support the SD-Access fabric edge role in the same way Catalyst switches do, and would be overkill and inappropriate for a branch office.
- ✗
Cisco Catalyst 2960-X
Why it's wrong here
The Catalyst 2960-X is a legacy access switch that does not support SD-Access fabric roles or Cisco DNA Center Plug and Play onboarding. It lacks the required fabric capabilities, so it cannot meet the centralized management and fabric requirements described.
- ✗
Cisco ASR 1000
Why it's wrong here
The ASR 1000 is a WAN edge router, not a switch. It cannot serve as a fabric edge switch and does not support Plug and Play onboarding as an access switch. It is designed for routing and WAN aggregation, not branch access switching.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,923-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.