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Extreme Networks Associate (ECA) study materials
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Extreme Networks Associate (ECA) practice questions

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Question 1Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme Networks operating system runs on the universal hardware platforms such as the 5520 and 5420 series switches?

  1. VSP Operating System
  2. ExtremeXOS Correct answer.
  3. Extreme Fabric Connect
  4. ExtremeCloud IQ

Explanation

The 5520 and 5420 universal platforms ship with ExtremeXOS, a modular switch operating system that can later be switched to VSP operating system via software to enable Fabric Connect. ExtremeXOS is the traditional EXOS CLI environment used across the campus switching line.

Question 2Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants a single cloud dashboard to onboard, monitor, and troubleshoot both wired switches and wireless access points. Which Extreme offering fits this requirement?

  1. ExtremeCloud IQ Correct answer.
  2. ExtremeAnalytics
  3. Extreme Control
  4. Extreme Fabric Connect

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ is the cloud-native management platform that provides unified onboarding, monitoring, and troubleshooting for wired and wireless infrastructure. It is the SaaS-style single-pane management product in the Extreme portfolio.

Question 3Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme technology provides a shortest-path bridging fabric that uses IS-IS for control plane operation and supports edge-only provisioning?

  1. Extreme Control
  2. ExtremeCloud IQ
  3. Extreme Fabric Connect Correct answer.
  4. Extreme Switching

Explanation

Extreme Fabric Connect is built on Shortest Path Bridging (IEEE 802.1aq) with an IS-IS control plane, and it allows services to be provisioned only at the edge nodes. This edge-only provisioning model is a defining characteristic of the fabric.

Question 4Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme product family is purpose-built for network access control, including guest onboarding and BYOD policy enforcement?

  1. ExtremeRouting
  2. ExtremeCloud IQ
  3. Extreme Control Correct answer.
  4. Extreme Fabric Connect

Explanation

Extreme Control is the access control and policy product line that handles NAC, guest registration, and BYOD onboarding workflows. It enforces identity-based policy at the network edge.

Question 5Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

What is the primary role of ExtremeAnalytics in a customer deployment?

  1. Providing the IS-IS fabric control plane
  2. Collecting and reporting network and application usage analytics Correct answer.
  3. Enforcing guest registration policies
  4. Serving as the cloud onboarding dashboard for access points

Explanation

ExtremeAnalytics gathers flow and application data from the network to deliver visibility into usage, application performance, and user experience. It complements management platforms by adding analytics rather than device configuration.

Question 6Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme switch series is positioned as a data center spine platform supporting VSP operating system and Fabric Connect?

  1. AP 4000 series
  2. Summit X440 series
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ appliance
  4. VSP 8000 series Correct answer.

Explanation

The VSP 8000 series is a data center spine-class platform that runs the VSP operating system and supports Fabric Connect. It is designed for high-capacity fabric core roles.

Question 7Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer needs a compact fanless switch for a small branch closet with a handful of users. Which Extreme platform type best matches this need?

  1. A wireless controller appliance
  2. A fixed-configuration edge switch Correct answer.
  3. A modular chassis spine
  4. A cloud management subscription

Explanation

Fixed-configuration edge switches are compact, often fanless, and suited to small closets with limited port counts. Modular chassis and spine platforms are oversized for a handful of branch users.

Question 8Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which statement best describes the relationship between ExtremeCloud IQ and ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine?

  1. ExtremeCloud IQ is cloud-delivered management, while Site Engine is an on-premises management option. Correct answer.
  2. Both are wireless-only products with no wired switch support.
  3. Site Engine is the cloud service and ExtremeCloud IQ runs only on switches.
  4. Both are licensing tiers of Extreme Fabric Connect.

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ is the cloud-delivered management platform, and ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine provides an on-premises management deployment option. They address the same management space with different delivery models.

Question 9Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which capability distinguishes Extreme Fabric Connect from a traditional Spanning Tree based campus design?

  1. It relies on STP to prevent loops in every VLAN.
  2. It uses an IS-IS link-state control plane with shortest path forwarding and no blocked links. Correct answer.
  3. It requires manual static routes between every access switch.
  4. It forwards all traffic through a single designated root bridge.

Explanation

Fabric Connect uses IS-IS to build a link-state topology and forwards on shortest paths, so links are not blocked the way STP blocks redundant links. This enables active use of all fabric links and faster convergence.

Question 10Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A universal hardware switch is currently running ExtremeXOS. What must an administrator do to enable Fabric Connect on it?

  1. Install and boot the VSP operating system image on the platform. Correct answer.
  2. Add an external fabric controller appliance.
  3. Purchase a separate Fabric Connect license key only.
  4. Convert the switch to a wireless access point.

Explanation

Universal hardware platforms can run either ExtremeXOS or the VSP operating system; enabling full Fabric Connect requires booting the VSP OS image. Licensing alone does not change the running operating system.

Question 11Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme licensing model is associated with enabling advanced features on ExtremeCloud IQ managed devices through subscription tiers?

  1. A per-user guest registration license
  2. A fabric-wide IS-IS license per area
  3. A one-time perpetual license per port only
  4. Per-device subscription tiers such as Connect, Pilot, and CoPilot Correct answer.

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ uses per-device subscription tiers that unlock progressively richer management and assurance capabilities. These tiers are subscription-based rather than a single perpetual port license.

Question 12Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

What does the term universal hardware mean in the Extreme portfolio?

  1. The hardware includes a built-in wireless controller in every model.
  2. The switch ships with every software license pre-installed.
  3. The same physical switch can run different Extreme operating systems to serve campus or fabric roles. Correct answer.
  4. The switch can be used as either a router or a firewall only.

Explanation

Universal hardware platforms are designed to run more than one Extreme operating system, letting the same physical switch serve as a campus EXOS device or a VSP-based fabric node. This protects hardware investment by changing software rather than hardware.

Question 13Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme solution would a customer deploy to extend fabric services securely across a WAN link between two sites?

  1. ExtremeAnalytics flow collector
  2. Extreme Control guest portal
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ onboarding wizard
  4. Fabric Connect with a fabric extender or IP short path bridging capability Correct answer.

Explanation

Fabric Connect can be extended between sites using fabric extenders or IP-based fabric capabilities that carry fabric services over a WAN transport. The other options are management or access features, not transport extension.

Question 14Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer asks which Extreme product provides centralized policy for both wired and wireless users based on identity. Which answer is most accurate?

  1. Extreme Fabric Connect IS-IS adjacencies
  2. ExtremeCloud IQ device firmware upgrades
  3. Extreme Control integrated with the network infrastructure Correct answer.
  4. ExtremeAnalytics application signatures

Explanation

Extreme Control applies identity-based policy across wired and wireless access by integrating with network devices and identity sources. Firmware upgrades, IS-IS adjacencies, and application signatures do not enforce user policy.

Question 15Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which statement correctly pairs an Extreme platform with its typical deployment role?

  1. ExtremeCloud IQ as an on-box switch operating system
  2. AP 4000 as a core router
  3. VSP 4000 series as a data center leaf running VSP operating system Correct answer.
  4. Summit X440 as a data center spine

Explanation

The VSP 4000 series is a data center leaf-class platform that runs the VSP operating system and participates in Fabric Connect. The other pairings misassign each product's role.

Question 16Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

What is the main benefit of edge-only provisioning in an Extreme Fabric Connect network?

  1. Spanning Tree must be tuned on each new service.
  2. Every core node must be reconfigured for each new VLAN.
  3. New services can be enabled at the edge without reconfiguring every core node. Correct answer.
  4. Each new service requires a new IS-IS area.

Explanation

With edge-only provisioning, an administrator defines a service only on the edge nodes that need it, and the fabric handles reachability automatically. Core nodes do not need per-service configuration, which simplifies operations.

Question 17Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme management capability is most relevant to a customer who wants AI-driven client assurance and anomaly detection for their wireless estate?

  1. Summit X440 stacking
  2. Extreme Control guest portal
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ CoPilot Correct answer.
  4. Extreme Fabric Connect IS-IS

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ CoPilot adds AI-driven assurance, anomaly detection, and client experience insights to the cloud management platform. The other options address fabric control, guest access, or switch stacking.

Question 18Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer is comparing a perpetual license model against a subscription model for network management. Which statement best reflects how ExtremeCloud IQ is typically licensed?

  1. It is subscription-based per device, with tiers that unlock additional features. Correct answer.
  2. It is licensed per IS-IS area in the fabric.
  3. It is licensed only by the number of guest users.
  4. It is a one-time perpetual license that never expires.

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ is sold as a per-device subscription with feature tiers, which aligns cost with ongoing cloud service delivery. Perpetual, per-area, and per-guest models do not describe it.

Question 19Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme operating system is specifically designed to run on the VSP data center platforms and support Fabric Connect natively?

  1. ExtremeXOS
  2. VSP Operating System Correct answer.
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ
  4. Extreme Control

Explanation

The VSP Operating System is the software image built for VSP platforms and provides native Fabric Connect support. ExtremeXOS is the campus OS, while the other options are management products.

Question 20Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

An engineer must verify which operating system image a universal switch is currently running before planning a fabric migration. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. Check the running software version and platform identity from the device CLI or management platform. Correct answer.
  2. Assume all universal switches run VSP operating system by default.
  3. Check the guest portal registration logs.
  4. Inspect only the physical port count on the front panel.

Explanation

The running OS and platform identity are reported by the device CLI and by the management platform, which is the reliable way to confirm the current image. Physical port count and guest logs say nothing about the running software.

Question 21Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A design team wants redundant links between fabric nodes to carry traffic simultaneously rather than leaving one idle. Which property of Extreme Fabric Connect enables this?

  1. Static VLAN pruning on redundant links
  2. Per-VLAN STP instance tuning
  3. Equal-cost multipath forwarding over the IS-IS topology Correct answer.
  4. Spanning Tree root guard on every uplink

Explanation

Fabric Connect builds a link-state topology with IS-IS and forwards over equal-cost paths, so redundant links can be used at the same time. STP-based designs instead block redundant links to prevent loops.

Question 22Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which combination best explains why a customer might choose an on-premises management deployment over a cloud-managed one for Extreme infrastructure?

  1. Cloud management only supports wireless access points.
  2. On-premises management eliminates the need for device licensing.
  3. Data residency or limited internet egress requirements favor an on-premises option such as Site Engine. Correct answer.
  4. Cloud management cannot manage wired switches.

Explanation

On-premises management options such as ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine suit environments with data residency rules or restricted internet egress. The other statements misstate the capabilities of cloud management.

Question 23Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants analytics on application usage without deploying a separate dedicated appliance in every closet. Which statement about ExtremeAnalytics is most accurate?

  1. It operates only on wireless controllers.
  2. It replaces Extreme Control for guest onboarding.
  3. It can consume flow and visibility data from network infrastructure and management platforms rather than requiring an appliance per closet. Correct answer.
  4. It requires a dedicated hardware sensor in every wiring closet.

Explanation

ExtremeAnalytics leverages flow and visibility data collected from the infrastructure and management layer, avoiding per-closet appliances. It complements rather than replaces access control and is not limited to wireless.

Question 24Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which statement best captures how Extreme positions licensing across its portfolio?

  1. All Extreme licensing is based on the number of IS-IS adjacencies.
  2. Different products use different models, such as per-device subscriptions for cloud management and feature-based licenses for on-box capabilities. Correct answer.
  3. Every Extreme product uses a single identical perpetual license.
  4. Licensing applies only to wireless products.

Explanation

Extreme licensing is not uniform: cloud management uses per-device subscription tiers, while on-box features may use feature-based licenses. Recognizing this mix is important when scoping a solution.

Question 25Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme platform family is intended for campus edge access with fixed uplinks and is commonly managed through ExtremeCloud IQ?

  1. ExtremeCloud IQ virtual appliance
  2. VSP 8000 series spine switches
  3. AP 4000 series access points
  4. Summit series switches Correct answer.

Explanation

Summit series switches are the campus edge access family and are commonly onboarded and managed through ExtremeCloud IQ. The VSP 8000 is a data center spine, and the other options are not campus edge switches.

Question 26Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme operating system is the modern, cloud-manageable OS that runs on many universal hardware switches and is distinct from the older ExtremeXOS line?

  1. ExtremeXOS
  2. Extreme Fabric Engine Correct answer.
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ Controller OS
  4. VOSS

Explanation

Extreme Fabric Engine is the newer operating system that runs on universal hardware platforms and can be managed through cloud tooling, while ExtremeXOS is the long-established switch OS. VOSS is a separate OS used on VSP data center platforms. Fabric Engine is the one associated with the universal hardware transition.

Question 27Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants a single pane of glass to onboard, monitor, and troubleshoot both their wired switches and their wireless access points from the cloud. Which Extreme offering best fits this requirement?

  1. Extreme Fabric Connect
  2. ExtremeCloud IQ Correct answer.
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine
  4. Extreme Policy Engine

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ is the cloud-native management platform that provides unified wired and wireless onboarding, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Site Engine is the on-premises management option, and Fabric Connect is a network fabric technology rather than a management console. Policy Engine delivers identity-based policy but is not the cloud management plane.

Question 28Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which Extreme switch family is the fixed-form campus access line designed for edge connectivity and typically managed through cloud or on-premises management rather than being a chassis-based core?

  1. VSP series
  2. ExtremeSwitching X465 Correct answer.
  3. SLX series
  4. Summit series

Explanation

The ExtremeSwitching X465 is a fixed-form campus access switch family intended for edge connectivity in enterprise campus deployments. VSP and SLX are positioned for data center and service provider roles, and the Summit line is largely a legacy brand. The X465 matches the fixed campus access role described.

Question 29Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

In the Extreme portfolio, what does the term universal hardware primarily describe?

  1. Switches that ship with pre-installed Fabric Connect licenses
  2. Switches that can run multiple Extreme operating systems and be repurposed across roles Correct answer.
  3. Switches whose ports can be reconfigured as either copper or fiber in software
  4. Switches that require no management platform to operate

Explanation

Universal hardware refers to platforms capable of running more than one Extreme operating system, allowing the same physical switch to serve different roles depending on the image and license. This lets organizations standardize on one hardware model and repurpose it over time. It does not refer to port media conversion or bundled fabric licensing.

Question 30Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A network team wants to add a new edge switch to an existing Fabric Connect fabric and have it receive its fabric configuration automatically with minimal manual steps. Which approach should they use?

  1. Manually configure IS-IS adjacencies on every node
  2. Convert the fabric to a static VLAN design
  3. Enable edge-only provisioning so the access node inherits fabric services Correct answer.
  4. Deploy a separate Spanning Tree domain for the new switch

Explanation

Edge-only provisioning lets an access switch join the fabric and inherit the services and configuration defined by the fabric core, reducing per-node manual work. This is a key operational benefit of Fabric Connect. Manual adjacency configuration and Spanning Tree designs work against the fabric model.

Question 31Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

An administrator has a universal hardware switch running ExtremeXOS and wants to move it to Fabric Engine to use modern fabric features. What is the appropriate first consideration?

  1. The switch can be transitioned to Fabric Engine because universal hardware supports multiple operating systems Correct answer.
  2. Fabric Engine can only run on VSP chassis platforms
  3. ExtremeXOS and Fabric Engine are the same image with different branding
  4. The switch must be replaced because hardware cannot change OS

Explanation

Universal hardware is specifically designed to support more than one Extreme operating system, so a supported model can be transitioned to Fabric Engine. The transition depends on model support and correct image and licensing steps, not on replacing the hardware. ExtremeXOS and Fabric Engine are distinct operating systems.

Question 32Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants redundant fabric links between two fabric nodes to carry traffic at the same time instead of one link sitting idle. Which Fabric Connect mechanism provides this?

  1. Spanning Tree Protocol blocking
  2. Static link aggregation only
  3. Equal Cost Multi Path routing within the fabric Correct answer.
  4. VRRP active-standby failover

Explanation

Fabric Connect uses shortest path bridging with Equal Cost Multi Path so multiple equal-cost links can carry traffic simultaneously. This avoids the idle-link behavior typical of Spanning Tree designs. Link aggregation and VRRP address different problems and do not provide fabric-wide multipathing.

Question 33Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer needs to extend fabric services securely between two sites over an existing WAN connection without building a dedicated private circuit. Which Extreme capability addresses this?

  1. Fabric Attach at the campus edge
  2. Fabric Extend over IP tunnels Correct answer.
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine
  4. Extreme Policy Engine

Explanation

Fabric Extend uses IP-based tunnels to carry fabric services across a WAN, letting sites participate in the fabric without a dedicated private circuit. Fabric Attach is about attaching non-fabric devices at the edge, and the management and policy products do not extend fabric services across the WAN.

Question 34Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants centralized, identity-based policy applied consistently to both wired and wireless users across the network. Which Extreme solution should be proposed?

  1. ExtremeSwitching X465
  2. Extreme Policy Engine Correct answer.
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine
  4. Extreme Fabric Connect

Explanation

Extreme Policy Engine provides centralized, identity-based policy enforcement that can span both wired and wireless access. It ties user identity to network policy rather than relying on per-port configuration. The other options address management, fabric transport, or access switching rather than unified policy.

Question 35Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer is deciding between a perpetual license and a subscription license for network management. Which statement best reflects how Extreme positions these models?

  1. Perpetual licensing removes the need for any support contract
  2. Subscription licensing is only available for data center switches
  3. Perpetual licenses include all future features at no additional cost
  4. Subscription licensing bundles ongoing access to features and updates for a recurring fee Correct answer.

Explanation

Subscription licensing provides continuing access to features and updates for a recurring fee, which aligns cost with ongoing value. Perpetual licensing grants a one-time right to use but does not automatically include all future features. Neither model eliminates the need for support or is restricted to data center switches.

Question 36Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

Which statement best captures how Extreme structures licensing across its portfolio?

  1. Licensing is tiered by platform and feature so customers enable the capabilities they need Correct answer.
  2. A single universal license unlocks every feature on every platform
  3. Licensing is identical for cloud-managed and on-premises deployments
  4. Licensing applies only to wireless access points

Explanation

Extreme licensing is structured by platform and feature tier, allowing customers to enable the specific capabilities required for each deployment. There is no single universal license that unlocks everything everywhere. Licensing varies across product lines and deployment models rather than being uniform.

Question 37Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants AI-driven client assurance and anomaly detection across their wired and wireless estate. Which Extreme management capability is most relevant?

  1. Static VLAN configuration templates
  2. Manual syslog review on each switch
  3. Fabric Connect IS-IS topology inspection
  4. ExtremeCloud IQ's analytics and assurance features Correct answer.

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ includes analytics and assurance capabilities that use telemetry to surface client experience issues and anomalies. Manual log review and topology inspection are operational tasks but do not provide AI-driven assurance. Static templates configure the network but do not analyze client experience.

Question 38Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A regulated customer requires that all network management data remain on premises and cannot leave their data centers. Which Extreme deployment choice best satisfies this constraint?

  1. ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine deployed on premises Correct answer.
  2. ExtremeCloud IQ public cloud
  3. ExtremeCloud IQ Controller in the cloud
  4. Fabric Extend over the internet

Explanation

ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine is the on-premises management platform, so management data can remain within the customer's data centers. Public cloud management options would move management telemetry off premises, which conflicts with the requirement. Fabric Extend addresses transport, not management data residency.

Question 39Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

An engineer wants to confirm which operating system image a universal hardware switch is running before planning a migration. Which action directly answers this?

  1. Review the Fabric Connect service identifiers
  2. Inspect the switch's running software version and image information Correct answer.
  3. Query the wireless controller for client records
  4. Check the license file on the management server

Explanation

The running software version and image information reported by the switch itself is the authoritative source for which operating system image is active. License files and service identifiers describe entitlements and fabric services, not the active OS image. Wireless client records are unrelated to switch OS verification.

Question 40Extreme Networks portfolio, platforms, and licensing

A customer wants application usage analytics without placing a dedicated analytics appliance in every wiring closet. Which approach best aligns with the Extreme portfolio?

  1. Disable telemetry to reduce management traffic
  2. Rely on per-closet packet captures reviewed manually
  3. Deploy an analytics appliance in each closet
  4. Use telemetry from switches and access points feeding a centralized management platform Correct answer.

Explanation

Extreme's management platforms collect telemetry from switches and access points and provide centralized analytics, avoiding per-closet appliances. Distributing dedicated appliances increases cost and complexity. Manual packet capture and disabling telemetry both work against the goal of centralized analytics.

Question 41Campus and data center networking fundamentals

In a three-tier campus design, which layer is responsible for routing between VLANs and applying policy between distribution switches?

  1. Distribution layer Correct answer.
  2. Core layer
  3. Access layer
  4. Edge layer

Explanation

The distribution layer sits between access and core and typically hosts inter-VLAN routing, aggregation of access switches, and policy enforcement. Access switches connect end devices, while the core focuses on fast transport between distribution blocks.

Question 42Campus and data center networking fundamentals

A company is deploying a two-tier (collapsed core) campus design. Which characteristic distinguishes it from a three-tier design?

  1. End devices connect directly to the core with no access layer
  2. The core and distribution functions are combined into one layer Correct answer.
  3. Spanning tree is eliminated because loops cannot occur
  4. Access switches perform all inter-VLAN routing with no aggregation layer

Explanation

A collapsed core design merges the distribution and core roles into a single layer, which suits smaller campuses where a dedicated core is not justified. Access switches still connect end devices, and loop prevention is still required.

Question 43Campus and data center networking fundamentals

Which statement describes the primary role of a spine switch in a spine-and-leaf data center fabric?

  1. It terminates all storage traffic and isolates it from the fabric
  2. It provides high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnection between all leaf switches Correct answer.
  3. It aggregates management traffic only and carries no production data
  4. It connects servers directly and performs first-hop routing for them

Explanation

Spine switches form the backbone of a spine-and-leaf fabric, connecting to every leaf to provide predictable, low-latency paths. Servers attach to leaf switches, and every leaf is one hop from every other leaf through a spine.

Question 44Campus and data center networking fundamentals

In an equal-cost multipath (ECMP) spine-and-leaf fabric, what is the main benefit of connecting each leaf to multiple spines?

  1. It removes the need for a routing protocol between leaf and spine
  2. It forces all traffic through a single designated spine for symmetry
  3. It guarantees that only one path is ever used, simplifying troubleshooting
  4. It allows traffic to be load-shared across several equal-cost paths Correct answer.

Explanation

ECMP lets a router install multiple equal-cost next hops and distribute flows across them, which increases usable bandwidth and resilience. If a spine fails, remaining spines continue to carry traffic.

Question 45Campus and data center networking fundamentals

Which cabling choice supports 10GBASE-SR links over multimode fiber in a data center?

  1. Cat6a twisted pair
  2. OM4 multimode fiber Correct answer.
  3. Coaxial cable
  4. Single-mode fiber with an LX-style optic

Explanation

10GBASE-SR is specified for short-reach multimode fiber, and OM4 is a common grade that supports it over distances up to roughly 400 meters. The SR designation signals short reach over multimode media.

Question 46Campus and data center networking fundamentals

A campus access switch port is configured for a voice VLAN and a data VLAN. Which mechanism most commonly identifies traffic belonging to the voice VLAN on that port?

  1. DHCP snooping trust on the phone port
  2. LLDP-MED or CDP advertising the voice VLAN to the phone Correct answer.
  3. Static MAC address filtering on the uplink
  4. BPDU guard on the access port

Explanation

IP phones learn their voice VLAN through discovery protocols such as LLDP-MED or CDP, then tag voice frames with the appropriate VLAN. This lets a single port carry untagged data traffic and tagged voice traffic.

Question 47Campus and data center networking fundamentals

Which protocol provides loop-free Layer 2 multipathing in a data center fabric by using link-state routing instead of spanning tree?

  1. Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) Correct answer.
  2. RSTP
  3. MSTP
  4. VTP

Explanation

Shortest Path Bridging uses an IS-IS based link-state control plane to compute multiple loop-free paths at Layer 2, enabling active-active forwarding. Classic spanning tree variants block redundant links to prevent loops.

Question 48Campus and data center networking fundamentals

What is the purpose of an MLAG (multi-switch link aggregation) pair in a campus or data center design?

  1. To replace all routing protocols with static routes
  2. To encrypt all traffic traversing the aggregation links
  3. To prevent any two switches from sharing a management address
  4. To allow two switches to appear as one logical device for link aggregation Correct answer.

Explanation

MLAG lets two physical switches form a single logical aggregation endpoint, so servers or access switches can dual-home with all links active. The peer link and peer keepalive synchronize state between the pair.

Question 49Campus and data center networking fundamentals

In a data center, a server is dual-homed to two leaf switches using MLAG. What does the peer link between the two leaf switches carry?

  1. Encrypted storage traffic only
  2. Only management traffic between the switches
  3. All traffic destined for the default gateway exclusively
  4. Synchronization and traffic that must cross between the MLAG peers Correct answer.

Explanation

The MLAG peer link carries control synchronization and data that needs to cross between the two peers, for example when a single-homed device on one peer talks to a device on the other. It is not a management-only path.

Question 50Campus and data center networking fundamentals

Which statement best describes the difference between a Layer 2 access port and a Layer 2 trunk port on a campus switch?

  1. An access port carries a single VLAN untagged, while a trunk carries multiple VLANs with tagging Correct answer.
  2. An access port requires 802.1X, while a trunk never does
  3. An access port performs routing, while a trunk performs switching only
  4. An access port carries multiple tagged VLANs, while a trunk carries one untagged VLAN

Explanation

Access ports belong to one VLAN and send untagged frames to end devices. Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches and tag frames so the receiving device can separate them.