Cisco 300-610 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions
Question 1
Which feature in Cisco HyperFlex enables cost-efficient scaling at the virtual machine level, especially suited for expanding desktop virtualization setups?
A. HyperFlex Edge support
B. Offload encryption cards
C. Dedicated compute-only nodes
D. Fabric interconnect technology
Answer: C
Explanation:
Cisco HyperFlex is a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solution that combines compute, networking, and storage resources into a unified platform optimized for virtualization and scalability. One of the key benefits of HyperFlex is its ability to scale resources independently based on the specific needs of workloads, which is especially useful in desktop virtualization environments such as VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure).
Option C, dedicated compute-only nodes, is the correct answer because this feature allows organizations to scale compute resources independently from storage. In a traditional hyperconverged environment, adding compute typically involves adding additional storage nodes, which can lead to unnecessary cost and over-provisioning if only compute power is needed. Compute-only nodes decouple this relationship by enabling the addition of servers that contribute CPU and RAM without adding storage capacity to the cluster. This is ideal for desktop virtualization scenarios, where many virtual desktops may need more compute power but not necessarily more storage. This leads to more cost-efficient scaling and aligns resources closely with workload requirements.
Option A, HyperFlex Edge support, refers to the deployment of HyperFlex in remote or branch locations. While it's a beneficial feature for extending infrastructure to the edge, it is not specifically related to virtual machine-level scaling or desktop virtualization optimization.
Option B, offload encryption cards, deals with the acceleration of encryption tasks to offload processing from CPUs. This improves performance and security but does not directly contribute to cost-efficient VM scaling in a VDI environment.
Option D, fabric interconnect technology, is foundational to how Cisco HyperFlex connects compute and storage nodes within the cluster. While it is critical to HyperFlex's performance and management, it doesn't enable scaling at the VM level for desktop virtualization specifically.
Thus, dedicated compute-only nodes provide the most targeted and efficient method for expanding VDI environments, as they allow organizations to scale only what they need—compute, without the cost burden of additional storage.
Question 2
Which two vSphere functionalities are essential when designing a Cisco HyperFlex stretched cluster? (Choose two)
A. High Availability (HA)
B. Virtual Standard Switch (VSS)
C. Fault Tolerance (FT)
D. VMware Data Protection (VDP)
E. Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS)
Answer: A, E
Explanation:
Cisco HyperFlex stretched clusters are designed for high availability across geographically separate sites, providing continuous access to virtual machines and applications even during site failures. When designing a HyperFlex stretched cluster, certain VMware vSphere functionalities become essential to ensure resilience, load balancing, and intelligent workload management.
Option A, High Availability (HA), is absolutely essential. VMware HA allows virtual machines to be automatically restarted on other hosts in the event of a host or site failure. In the context of a stretched cluster, HA ensures that workloads can fail over between the two sites in case of disruption. This minimizes downtime and helps maintain business continuity, which is one of the core goals of deploying a stretched cluster.
Option E, Distributed Resource Scheduler (DRS), is also critical. DRS automates the distribution and migration of virtual machines across hosts in a cluster to balance compute workloads and optimize performance. In a stretched cluster, DRS plays a crucial role in intelligently placing virtual machines across both sites, taking into account resource availability and minimizing latency. This functionality helps maintain performance and availability without manual intervention.
Option B, Virtual Standard Switch (VSS), provides basic networking capabilities, but it lacks the scalability and centralized management features of the vSphere Distributed Switch (VDS), which is preferred in a stretched cluster environment. VSS is not specifically essential or optimal for stretched cluster designs, especially in enterprise-grade deployments.
Option C, Fault Tolerance (FT), provides continuous availability for a VM by creating a live shadow copy on another host. While useful for certain critical workloads, FT is not a core requirement for stretched cluster design. It also comes with limitations in terms of supported VM sizes and configurations, making it less flexible for widespread use in stretched clusters.
Option D, VMware Data Protection (VDP), is a backup and recovery solution, which was actually deprecated by VMware in favor of third-party solutions. While data protection is important, VDP is not a required or central component in the architecture of a HyperFlex stretched cluster.
Therefore, the two functionalities most essential for designing a resilient and efficient Cisco HyperFlex stretched cluster are HA and DRS, making A and E the correct answers.
Question 3
On Cisco Nexus 5600 Series Switches, which feature provides link redundancy in a Fibre Channel environment?
A. vPC+
B. E-Trunk
C. SAN port channel
D. LACP port channel
Answer: C
Explanation:
In a Fibre Channel (FC) environment, link redundancy is crucial to ensure continuous availability and fault tolerance for storage area networks (SANs). The Cisco Nexus 5600 Series Switches are capable of supporting high-performance SAN environments and offer specific features designed to enhance redundancy and resiliency.
Option C, SAN port channel, is the correct answer because it is the dedicated method used in Fibre Channel environments to aggregate multiple FC links into a single logical link. SAN port channels not only provide load balancing but also offer link redundancy, meaning that if one physical link in the channel fails, traffic automatically shifts to the remaining active links without interrupting storage traffic. This ensures high availability, which is vital in mission-critical SAN setups.
Option A, vPC+ (Virtual Port Channel Plus), is used for Ethernet-based networks, particularly in FabricPath deployments. While it does provide link redundancy and loop prevention in Ethernet networks, it does not operate in Fibre Channel environments, making it irrelevant to FC redundancy scenarios.
Option B, E-Trunk, refers to Ethernet Trunking between switches and is not used in Fibre Channel contexts. It’s a method for aggregating Ethernet links but has no applicability to FC traffic, which uses a separate protocol stack and transport mechanism.
Option D, LACP port channel, is part of the EtherChannel suite used in Ethernet networks to aggregate links using the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). While LACP provides redundancy and load balancing for Ethernet traffic, it does not support Fibre Channel traffic and is therefore not suitable for SAN environments.
In summary, Fibre Channel environments require SAN-specific features to manage redundancy, and SAN port channels are the dedicated solution for this purpose on Cisco Nexus switches. They provide high availability, resiliency, and efficient use of multiple links, making C the correct choice.
Question 4
What is the most critical consideration when choosing a Cisco HyperFlex platform for running CAD (Computer-Aided Design) applications?
A. Network throughput
B. GPU capabilities
C. Storage space
D. Number of CPU cores
Answer: B
Explanation:
When deploying CAD (Computer-Aided Design) applications on a hyperconverged infrastructure like Cisco HyperFlex, the nature of the workload is the most important factor to consider. CAD applications, such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or CATIA, are highly graphical and compute-intensive, often requiring specialized hardware for optimal performance.
Option B, GPU capabilities, is the most critical consideration. CAD applications typically rely heavily on hardware acceleration for rendering 2D and 3D graphics. Without access to powerful Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), performance can degrade significantly, especially in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments where multiple users might be working with complex design files simultaneously. Cisco HyperFlex supports GPU-enabled nodes, which are designed specifically for graphics-intensive workloads like CAD. These nodes include NVIDIA GPUs that are capable of delivering the processing power required for smooth, high-performance graphics rendering in both physical and virtualized environments.
Option A, network throughput, is important but not the primary concern for CAD workloads. Most CAD applications are compute-bound rather than bandwidth-bound, and while fast networking helps in data transfers, it doesn’t address the core performance needs of rendering and visualization.
Option C, storage space, is essential for saving large design files and projects. However, this is a capacity consideration rather than a performance one. Storage capacity alone doesn't significantly impact how fast a CAD application runs or renders models in real time. HyperFlex systems already provide scalable, high-performance storage, which typically meets the requirements of CAD environments unless dealing with exceptionally large datasets.
Option D, number of CPU cores, also matters, especially for tasks such as compiling, simulation, or rendering in software that supports CPU-based processing. But in most modern CAD software, the GPU handles the bulk of the rendering, meaning CPUs are not the limiting factor for visual responsiveness and usability.
To summarize, while all the listed components are important in some capacity, GPU capabilities are the most critical when selecting a HyperFlex platform for CAD applications. Ensuring that the platform supports powerful GPUs will have the greatest impact on performance, user experience, and productivity, making B the correct answer.
Question 5
What is the main drawback of using asynchronous replication over synchronous replication in a disaster recovery setup?
A. Slower application performance
B. Limited geographical range
C. Requires specific backup methods
D. Risk of losing data
Answer: D
Explanation:
In disaster recovery (DR) architectures, data replication is a critical component that ensures business continuity by copying data from a primary site to a secondary site. Replication can occur in two main modes: synchronous and asynchronous, each with its benefits and trade-offs. The key difference between them lies in how and when data is written to the secondary system relative to the primary.
Asynchronous replication works by first writing data to the primary storage system and then replicating it to the secondary system after a short delay. This delay is where the main drawback lies. Because data is not instantly mirrored to the secondary site, there is a risk of losing data that was in transit during a failure—commonly referred to as a recovery point objective (RPO) gap. Therefore, if the primary site experiences a sudden outage, any data that had not yet been replicated to the DR site is potentially lost.
This makes D. Risk of losing data the correct answer. While asynchronous replication is often used for long-distance replication due to its lower bandwidth and performance requirements, it does not guarantee zero data loss. The longer the replication interval, the greater the potential data loss in the event of a disaster.
Option A, slower application performance, is more closely associated with synchronous replication, not asynchronous. In synchronous replication, each write operation must be confirmed by both the primary and secondary systems before it's considered complete, which can introduce latency, especially over long distances.
Option B, limited geographical range, is also more relevant to synchronous replication. Because of the need for immediate acknowledgment between sites, synchronous replication is typically limited to short distances, such as within a metro area. Asynchronous replication, by contrast, is well-suited for long-distance DR across regions or continents.
Option C, requiring specific backup methods, is not an inherent drawback of asynchronous replication. In fact, replication and backup are often treated as complementary technologies. While data replication helps ensure business continuity, backups protect against data corruption, ransomware, and long-term retention needs. Neither replication mode inherently mandates a specific backup method.
In conclusion, the biggest disadvantage of asynchronous replication in disaster recovery is the potential for data loss between the last replicated write and the point of failure. This makes D the correct answer.
Question 6
In a Cisco UCS environment, where is Fibre Channel failover managed?
A. Fabric Interconnect ASIC when in Fibre Channel switch mode
B. Multipathing software on the host
C. Hardware-level failover on Cisco UCS VIC 12xx or later adapters
D. Any Cisco UCS VIC adapter's built-in hardware
Answer: C
Explanation:
In a Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) environment, Fibre Channel (FC) failover is essential to ensure high availability and uninterrupted access to storage area networks (SANs). Cisco UCS uses a converged I/O architecture, and the responsibility for handling failover is tightly integrated into its Virtual Interface Cards (VICs) and Fabric Interconnects (FIs).
Option C, hardware-level failover on Cisco UCS VIC 12xx or later adapters, is the correct answer because these VICs support fabric failover at the hardware level. In this architecture, each virtual host interface (vHBA) is pinned to a specific fabric (A or B), and the VIC monitors the health of that fabric path. If a failure is detected, the VIC can autonomously fail over the vHBA to the other fabric without requiring intervention from the host operating system or its multipathing software. This feature is unique to Cisco VIC 12xx and newer series and allows for seamless Fibre Channel path redundancy with minimal configuration complexity.
Option A, Fabric Interconnect ASIC in FC switch mode, refers to the Fabric Interconnect's operating mode. While it plays a role in SAN connectivity, failover is not managed at this level. The ASIC handles switching and forwarding but does not independently perform the path failover logic for FC traffic.
Option B, multipathing software on the host, is commonly used in traditional FC environments outside of Cisco UCS. In UCS, however, hardware-based failover is preferred and implemented at the VIC level, rendering host-based multipathing optional or used as an added layer of redundancy, not as the primary failover mechanism.
Option D, any Cisco UCS VIC adapter’s built-in hardware, is too broad and technically incorrect. Not all VIC adapters support hardware-based Fibre Channel failover. This capability was introduced specifically with the VIC 1240/1280 series and later. Older models lack this integrated feature and may rely more heavily on host-based failover techniques.
In summary, for environments using Cisco UCS VIC 12xx or newer, Fibre Channel failover is managed at the hardware level by the VIC, allowing for seamless and efficient failover without host OS involvement. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Question 7
To connect directly to a storage array, which mode must a Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect be operating in?
A. NPIV mode
B. Fibre Channel end-host mode
C. NPV mode
D. Fibre Channel switching mode
Answer: D
Explanation:
Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects can operate in different modes that affect how they handle Fibre Channel (FC) traffic and interact with storage environments. The two main operational modes relevant to FC traffic are Fibre Channel switching mode and Fibre Channel end-host mode (also known as N-Port Virtualization or NPIV mode). The choice of mode determines whether the Fabric Interconnect behaves like a Fibre Channel switch or a pass-through device.
Option D, Fibre Channel switching mode, is the correct answer because it allows the Fabric Interconnect to function as a full Fibre Channel switch. In this mode, the Fabric Interconnect establishes direct connections to Fibre Channel storage arrays and other FC devices, just like any other FC switch. It handles FC fabric services, zoning, and path selection, enabling direct interaction with the storage system. This mode is required when the goal is to connect directly to a SAN without requiring an upstream FC switch.
Option A, NPIV mode, is a host-side feature (N-Port ID Virtualization) that allows a single physical Fibre Channel port to register multiple virtual WWPNs with the fabric. While it is relevant in UCS environments, it does not enable direct connection to storage—it is used more for virtualization and zoning flexibility on the host side.
Option B, Fibre Channel end-host mode, also known as NPV mode, causes the Fabric Interconnect to behave like a host (N-Port) and not like a switch. In this mode, the UCS system cannot directly connect to storage arrays; instead, it must connect through an upstream FC switch, which provides fabric services and connectivity to storage devices. This mode is often used to simplify management by reducing the number of switches seen in the fabric, but it does not support direct-to-storage connectivity.
Option C, NPV mode, is essentially the same as Fibre Channel end-host mode and shares the same limitation—it requires an upstream switch and cannot directly attach to a storage array.
Therefore, when direct connection to a storage array is required, the Fabric Interconnect must be in Fibre Channel switching mode, making D the correct answer.
Question 8
Which two naming schemes are commonly used to identify iSCSI initiators or targets? (Choose two)
A. WWPN
B. EUI
C. IQN
D. WWN
E. OUI
Answer: B, C
Explanation:
In an iSCSI (Internet Small Computer Systems Interface) environment, initiators (hosts) and targets (storage devices) must be uniquely identified across the network. This is accomplished through globally unique naming conventions. The two most commonly used schemes in iSCSI networks are IQN (iSCSI Qualified Name) and EUI (Extended Unique Identifier).
Option C, IQN, is the most widely used naming convention for iSCSI. It follows a specific syntax: iqn.yyyy-mm.reverse-domain-name:unique-name. For example, iqn.2025-05.com.example:server1. This format ensures that names are globally unique and traceable to a particular domain, date, and system. IQNs are typically assigned to iSCSI software initiators or targets and are supported by all major storage and virtualization platforms.
Option B, EUI, is another valid naming scheme, particularly useful in hardware-based iSCSI implementations. It uses a 64-bit IEEE Extended Unique Identifier (EUI-64) format. While less common than IQN in practice, EUI is still a standards-compliant naming scheme and can be found in some enterprise iSCSI devices and network interface cards.
Option A, WWPN (World Wide Port Name), and D, WWN (World Wide Name), are naming conventions used in Fibre Channel environments, not iSCSI. WWPNs identify specific ports, and WWNs can represent either nodes or ports, but both are unrelated to iSCSI protocols. They are primarily associated with Fibre Channel SANs and are not recognized as valid iSCSI identifiers.
Option E, OUI (Organizationally Unique Identifier), refers to the first 24 bits of a MAC address that identify the vendor. While OUIs are used as part of other identifiers like MACs or EUIs, they are not naming schemes themselves for iSCSI devices and thus are not used to identify initiators or targets in iSCSI systems directly.
In summary, IQN and EUI are the two standards specifically defined and used to identify iSCSI initiators and targets, making B and C the correct answers.
Question 9
Which key factor influences the number of Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) needed between Cisco MDS switches in a storage environment?
A. Use of FCoE
B. Storage type
C. End-to-end oversubscription ratio
D. Use of N Port virtualization
Answer: C
Explanation:
In a storage networking environment, Cisco MDS switches are commonly used to build a Fibre Channel fabric, where Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) serve as the backbone connections between switches. These ISLs carry traffic between different zones or fabrics and are crucial for maintaining efficient and reliable data flow across the entire SAN (Storage Area Network).
The most important consideration when determining the number of ISLs required is the end-to-end oversubscription ratio, making C the correct answer. The oversubscription ratio measures the relationship between the total bandwidth demand from connected devices (hosts and storage) and the available bandwidth on the ISLs. An oversubscribed fabric may result in bottlenecks, latency, or dropped frames, especially under high I/O workloads. Therefore, careful planning of the oversubscription ratio is vital to ensure optimal performance and resiliency.
A typical target in enterprise environments is a 2:1 oversubscription ratio or better, meaning the aggregate server bandwidth should not exceed twice the available ISL bandwidth. If storage workloads are especially latency-sensitive (as in databases or VDI), a lower oversubscription ratio—or even a non-oversubscribed fabric—is ideal. Hence, if the oversubscription ratio increases due to new hosts or greater workload demands, more ISLs must be added to maintain acceptable performance levels.
Option A, use of FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet), refers to the encapsulation of Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet networks. While FCoE does influence fabric design, it does not directly impact the number of ISLs in a Fibre Channel SAN—particularly if the core switching is done with Fibre Channel switches like Cisco MDS. FCoE is more relevant at the access layer with converged network adapters and is not a determining factor for ISL planning in traditional Fibre Channel fabrics.
Option B, storage type, such as SSDs vs. HDDs or flash arrays, can affect traffic patterns and performance demands. However, it is not the primary factor used in calculating the number of ISLs. Storage type may influence design indirectly by changing I/O characteristics, but the bandwidth usage is already captured in the oversubscription analysis.
Option D, use of N Port virtualization (NPV), allows end devices to virtualize multiple N Ports over a single physical port, typically to simplify fabric management. While this affects how many virtual devices a switch sees and can reduce domain count, NPV itself does not determine how many ISLs are required. It’s more about fabric scalability than bandwidth management.
In summary, the end-to-end oversubscription ratio is the key metric used to evaluate ISL bandwidth requirements. It directly impacts performance and scalability by defining how much traffic is expected to traverse ISLs compared to the available capacity. Thus, C is the correct answer.
Question 10
Which two of the following are key design considerations when planning a Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) deployment? (Choose 2.)
A. Deciding the number of spine and leaf switches based on network size and traffic requirements
B. Ensuring that the ACI environment only supports IPv4 addressing for backward compatibility
C. Planning for adequate fabric redundancy and high availability for critical applications
D. Using only traditional Layer 2 protocols such as VLANs for simplicity in network segmentation
E. Determining the proper size of the ACI fabric for future scalability and growth
Answer: A, C
Explanation:
Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) is a modern, software-defined networking (SDN) solution that provides a highly scalable and programmable fabric architecture for data centers. Successful ACI deployment depends on careful design and planning, ensuring both current performance and future scalability. Two of the most critical aspects to consider during the design phase are topology sizing and infrastructure resilience.
Option A, deciding the number of spine and leaf switches based on network size and traffic requirements, is a fundamental design step. Cisco ACI uses a spine-leaf architecture, where all leaf switches connect to all spine switches, ensuring low latency and predictable performance. The number of leaf switches generally depends on the number of endpoints (servers, firewalls, routers), while the number of spine switches should be aligned with the aggregate bandwidth and east-west traffic requirements of the environment. Under-sizing these components can lead to performance bottlenecks, while over-sizing can result in unnecessary cost. Therefore, accurately planning the spine and leaf counts according to expected workloads is crucial.
Option C, planning for adequate fabric redundancy and high availability for critical applications, is also essential in an enterprise-grade ACI deployment. Critical workloads require non-stop availability, and the ACI fabric must be designed with hardware and path redundancy, such as dual leaf uplinks, redundant Application Policy Infrastructure Controllers (APICs), and failover mechanisms. High availability ensures that a failure of a single switch, link, or controller does not impact data plane operations or policy enforcement. This level of resiliency supports service-level agreements (SLAs) and keeps mission-critical applications online.
Option B, ensuring the ACI environment only supports IPv4, is factually incorrect and not a recommended design practice. Cisco ACI supports both IPv4 and IPv6, and modern applications often require dual-stack configurations. Limiting the deployment to only IPv4 for backward compatibility ignores future-proofing and can hinder the adoption of new services or compliance with emerging standards.
Option D, using only traditional Layer 2 protocols like VLANs, undermines one of the key benefits of ACI. ACI replaces traditional VLAN-centric segmentation with endpoint groups (EPGs) and contracts, providing far more granular, scalable, and secure policy enforcement. Relying solely on VLANs would negate the SDN advantages and hinder scalability.
Option E, determining the proper size of the ACI fabric for future scalability, while important, is already somewhat encompassed in Option A. More critically, while future growth must be considered, the immediate sizing based on actual traffic requirements and current topology is more urgent during the initial design.
In conclusion, the two most vital design considerations for an ACI deployment are sizing the spine and leaf topology correctly (A) and designing for redundancy and high availability (C). These elements directly impact performance, scalability, and operational continuity, making A and C the correct answers.
