350-401 Architecture Practice Question
A network engineer is designing a campus network that must support rapid convergence and load balancing across multiple links. The design uses Cisco StackWise Virtual technology on a pair of Catalyst 9000 switches. The engineer wants to ensure that the control plane remains active on both switches and that traffic can be forwarded by both switches simultaneously. Which statement accurately describes the StackWise Virtual operation?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming StackWise Virtual operates like a traditional active-standby high-availability pair, when in fact both switches are active and forward traffic.
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
✓
Both switches share a single control plane and a single management IP address, and both forward traffic.
StackWise Virtual creates a single logical switch from two physical switches, with one control plane and one management IP. Both switches actively forward traffic, providing active-active operation and eliminating the need for FHRP. This design supports rapid convergence and load balancing across links.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Both switches share a single control plane and a single management IP address, and both forward traffic.
Why this is correct
StackWise Virtual combines two physical switches into a single logical switch with one control plane and one management IP. Both switches actively forward traffic, and the control plane is distributed, allowing both to process control protocols. This provides active-active forwarding and simplified management, meeting the design goals.
- ✗
Only one switch performs routing, while the other switch only performs Layer 2 switching.
Why it's wrong here
In StackWise Virtual, both switches can perform both Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding. There is no restriction that one switch only does Layer 2. The distributed forwarding architecture allows both switches to route and switch traffic, providing full active-active operation and optimal path utilization.
- ✗
One switch is active, and the other is standby; only the active switch forwards traffic.
Why it's wrong here
In StackWise Virtual, both switches are active and forward traffic simultaneously. The standby mode is typical for traditional high-availability pairs, but StackWise Virtual uses a distributed forwarding architecture where both switches can forward traffic, providing active-active operation. This option incorrectly describes a standby configuration.
- ✗
The switches operate independently with separate control planes, and a First Hop Redundancy Protocol (FHRP) is required for gateway redundancy.
Why it's wrong here
StackWise Virtual merges the control planes into one logical entity, so separate control planes and FHRP are not needed. FHRP would be used if the switches were independent, but StackWise Virtual eliminates that requirement by providing a single logical switch with a unified control plane and gateway.
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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
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