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350-401 Practice Question: Which two statements about NFV architecture and…
Which two statements about NFV architecture and components are true? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing the roles of VIM, VNFM, and NFVO — candidates often assume the VIM manages VNF lifecycle when it actually manages only the underlying NFVI resources.
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
✓
The NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) includes compute, storage, and networking resources that host VNFs.
Option A is correct because the NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) is defined by ETSI as the totality of hardware and software resources—compute (e.g., x86 servers), storage, and networking—on which VNFs are deployed and executed. Option B is correct because a Virtual Network Function (VNF) is precisely the software implementation of a network function (such as a firewall, router, or MME) that runs on virtualized infrastructure rather than on proprietary hardware. Option C is wrong because VNFs are designed to run on virtual machines or containers on shared, virtualized infrastructure, not on dedicated physical servers. Option D is wrong because VNF lifecycle management (instantiation, scaling, termination) is handled by the VNF Manager (VNFM), while the VIM manages the NFVI resources. Option E is wrong because allocating virtual resources to VNFs is the VIM's responsibility; the NFV Orchestrator focuses on end-to-end service orchestration and network service lifecycle management.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) includes compute, storage, and networking resources that host VNFs.
Why this is correct
The NFVI comprises the hardware and virtualisation layers — compute, storage and networking — that together provide the environment hosting VNFs. This matches the stem's requirement for a true statement about NFV components and their defined roles.
- ✓
Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) are software implementations of network functions that run on virtualized infrastructure.
Why this is correct
VNFs are the software form of traditional network functions, executing on virtualised infrastructure rather than dedicated appliances. This definitional fact satisfies the stem's demand for a true statement about what VNFs actually are within NFV architecture.
- ✗
Each VNF must be deployed on its own dedicated physical server to ensure performance isolation.
Why it's wrong here
NFV decouples network functions from hardware, so VNFs run as software instances on shared virtualised infrastructure rather than dedicated physical servers. It is tempting because dedicated hardware guarantees isolation, which suits specialised appliances, but NFV's purpose is consolidation onto common commodity servers.
- ✗
The Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) is responsible for managing the lifecycle of VNFs.
Why it's wrong here
The VIM manages the virtualised infrastructure resources — compute, storage and network — that host VNFs; VNF lifecycle management belongs to the VNF Manager. It is tempting because the VIM touches every VNF, but lifecycle operations such as instantiation and scaling sit with the VNFM.
- ✗
The NFV Orchestrator is primarily responsible for allocating virtual resources to VNFs.
Why it's wrong here
The NFV Orchestrator handles onboarding, lifecycle and end-to-end service orchestration across network services; resource allocation to VNFs falls to the VIM. It is tempting because orchestration sounds resource-related, but the VIM manages virtual compute, storage and network resources.
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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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