The Fabric Edge node is the correct choice because it serves as the attachment point for both wired and wireless endpoints within an SD-Access fabric, terminating VXLAN tunnels from the wireless LAN controller and applying consistent policy—such as SGT-based ACLs—to traffic from both sources. This ensures seamless wireless and wired policy integration by enforcing the same segmentation and security rules regardless of how a user connects. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the fabric’s control and data plane roles; a common trap is confusing the Fabric Edge with the Control Plane node, which handles mapping and database functions rather than policy enforcement. To remember, think of the Fabric Edge as the “doorway” where all traffic—wired and wireless—enters the fabric and gets tagged with the same policy. A useful mnemonic is “Edge enforces, Control catalogs.”
350-401 Enterprise Network Design Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of enterprise network design. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An enterprise is migrating from a traditional three-tier campus design to a software-defined access (SD-Access) fabric. The engineer needs to ensure that the existing wireless infrastructure integrates seamlessly. Which component of SD-Access is responsible for integrating wireless and wired policies?
Correct because the Fabric Edge node is the entry point for both wired and wireless users into the fabric, enforcing policies and providing connectivity.
B
Fabric Control node
Why wrong: Incorrect because the Fabric Control node handles LISP mapping and registration, not direct endpoint integration.
C
Fabric Border node
Why wrong: Incorrect because the Fabric Border node connects the fabric to external networks (e.g., WAN, Internet), not to wireless endpoints.
D
Wireless LAN Controller (WLC)
Why wrong: Incorrect because while the WLC manages wireless access points, it is not the component that integrates policies in SD-Access; the Fabric Edge does that.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Fabric Edge node
The Fabric Edge node is the correct answer because it is the SD-Access component that serves as the attachment point for both wired and wireless endpoints. In an SD-Access fabric, the Fabric Edge node terminates the VXLAN tunnels from the wireless LAN controller (WLC) and applies consistent policy (e.g., SGT-based ACLs) to traffic from both wired and wireless users, ensuring seamless integration of the existing wireless infrastructure.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Fabric Edge node
Why this is correct
Correct because the Fabric Edge node is the entry point for both wired and wireless users into the fabric, enforcing policies and providing connectivity.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Fabric Control node
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the Fabric Control node handles LISP mapping and registration, not direct endpoint integration.
✗
Fabric Border node
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because the Fabric Border node connects the fabric to external networks (e.g., WAN, Internet), not to wireless endpoints.
✗
Wireless LAN Controller (WLC)
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because while the WLC manages wireless access points, it is not the component that integrates policies in SD-Access; the Fabric Edge does that.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that the WLC is responsible for policy integration, but in SD-Access, the WLC is merely a wireless controller that tunnels client traffic to the Fabric Edge node, which is the actual policy enforcement point.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the Fabric Edge node uses VXLAN-GPO (Group Policy Option) to carry SGT information in the VXLAN header, allowing the same policy to be applied to wired and wireless traffic. In a real-world scenario, when a wireless client roams between APs, the Fabric Edge node maintains the client's SGT and policy context, ensuring seamless policy enforcement without requiring re-authentication. This integration is critical for maintaining consistent security and QoS policies across the entire enterprise network.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Enterprise Network Design — This question tests Enterprise Network Design — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Fabric Edge node — The Fabric Edge node is the correct answer because it is the SD-Access component that serves as the attachment point for both wired and wireless endpoints. In an SD-Access fabric, the Fabric Edge node terminates the VXLAN tunnels from the wireless LAN controller (WLC) and applies consistent policy (e.g., SGT-based ACLs) to traffic from both wired and wireless users, ensuring seamless integration of the existing wireless infrastructure.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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