The answer is to use the Trends feature within the Assurance dashboard to analyze the switch’s CPU utilization over time. This is correct because Cisco DNA Center’s Assurance module captures both real-time and historical performance data, and the Trends tool specifically allows engineers to select a time window—such as the last 24 hours or a custom range—to visualize how CPU metrics have fluctuated, making it possible to correlate spikes with specific events like configuration changes or traffic bursts. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this question tests your understanding of DNA Center’s operational tools versus its design or policy features; a common trap is confusing Trends with the Health Score or Sensors, which provide snapshots rather than longitudinal analysis. A useful memory tip is to think of “Trends” as “Time-based Review of Endpoint and Network Data”—if you need to see how a metric changes over time, you always look for the Trends option.
350-401 Cisco DNA Center Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of cisco dna center. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A network engineer is using Cisco DNA Center to monitor network health. The Assurance dashboard shows that a particular access switch has a high CPU utilization issue. The engineer wants to investigate the root cause using DNA Center's built-in tools. Which feature should the engineer use to analyze the switch's CPU utilization over time?
Use the 'Trends' feature in Assurance to view CPU utilization over time.
Correct because Trends provides historical data for performance metrics, including CPU utilization.
B
Use the 'Command Runner' to execute 'show process cpu' on the switch.
Why wrong: Incorrect while Command Runner can show real-time CPU, it does not provide historical trends; Trends is the appropriate tool for analysis over time.
C
Use the 'Path Trace' tool to analyze traffic paths.
Why wrong: Incorrect because Path Trace is used for network path analysis, not device CPU monitoring.
D
Use the 'Software Image Management' to check for software bugs.
Why wrong: Incorrect because Software Image Management is for firmware updates, not performance analysis.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the 'Trends' feature in Assurance to view CPU utilization over time.
Cisco DNA Center's Assurance module provides historical and real-time data for network devices. The 'Trends' feature allows engineers to view metrics like CPU utilization over a selected time period, helping to identify patterns and root causes.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Use the 'Trends' feature in Assurance to view CPU utilization over time.
Why this is correct
Correct because Trends provides historical data for performance metrics, including CPU utilization.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Use the 'Command Runner' to execute 'show process cpu' on the switch.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect while Command Runner can show real-time CPU, it does not provide historical trends; Trends is the appropriate tool for analysis over time.
✗
Use the 'Path Trace' tool to analyze traffic paths.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because Path Trace is used for network path analysis, not device CPU monitoring.
✗
Use the 'Software Image Management' to check for software bugs.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because Software Image Management is for firmware updates, not performance analysis.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect while Command Runner can show real-time CPU, it does not provide historical trends; Trends is the appropriate tool for analysis over time.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Cisco DNA Center — This question tests Cisco DNA Center — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the 'Trends' feature in Assurance to view CPU utilization over time. — Cisco DNA Center's Assurance module provides historical and real-time data for network devices. The 'Trends' feature allows engineers to view metrics like CPU utilization over a selected time period, helping to identify patterns and root causes.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-401 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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