Implementing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure Exam – Practice Test & Study Guide
Are you preparing to earn your Cisco Data Center Infrastructure certification? Our Implementing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure (DCII) Exam Practice Test is designed to help you succeed with confidence. Whether you’re an IT professional, network engineer, or data center specialist, this comprehensive practice exam offers the targeted preparation you need to master key concepts and pass the official exam on your first attempt.
What Is the Implementing Cisco Data Center Infrastructure Exam?
This Cisco certification exam evaluates your skills and knowledge in deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco Data Center infrastructure components. It focuses on critical technologies such as Cisco UCS, Nexus switches, ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure), and fabric interconnects. The exam tests your understanding of server virtualization, storage networking, data center design, and automation within modern data centers.
What Will You Learn?
By using our practice test, you’ll gain in-depth understanding of:
Cisco UCS architecture and management
Nexus switch configuration and troubleshooting
Cisco ACI fundamentals, including Endpoint Groups and contracts
Fabric Interconnects and Fabric Extenders setup
Storage Area Network (SAN) integration with Cisco UCS
Network virtualization and overlay technologies
Data center automation and policy-based management
Best practices for fabric design and deployment
Key Topics Covered
Our practice questions are carefully crafted to cover the most important topics tested in the official exam, including:
Cisco UCS components and management tools
Server and SAN connectivity policies
VLAN pools and QoS configurations
FabricPath and vPC technologies
Cisco ACI constructs like Bridge Domains and Endpoint Groups
Boot policies and firmware management
Network security and access control in data centers
Troubleshooting common infrastructure issues
How to Pass the Cisco Data Center Infrastructure Exam
Success in this certification exam requires both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. Our practice test simulates the exam environment with realistic multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations to reinforce learning. Use this resource to:
Identify your strengths and focus areas
Understand complex concepts through clear, concise explanations
Build confidence by practicing under exam-like conditions
Track your progress and improve your test-taking strategies
Why Choose Exam Sage?
At Exam Sage, we specialize in high-quality, up-to-date practice exams created by industry experts. Our Cisco Data Center Infrastructure practice test is:
Thoroughly researched and regularly updated to reflect the latest exam objectives
Designed to help you learn and retain critical information efficiently
Accessible online anytime, anywhere, allowing you to study at your own pace
Prepare smarter and pass faster with Exam Sage — your trusted partner for Cisco certification success.
Sample Questions and Answers
1. Which Cisco Nexus switch feature enables virtual device contexts (VDCs) for multiple logical switches on a single physical device?
A) Cisco FabricPath
B) Cisco NX-OS VDC
C) Cisco OTV
D) Cisco ACI
Answer: B) Cisco NX-OS VDC
Explanation: Cisco Nexus switches support Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs), which allow partitioning of a physical switch into multiple logical switches, each running its own control plane. This provides administrative separation and resource allocation per context.
2. Which protocol is used by Cisco UCS Manager to communicate between the Fabric Interconnects and the UCS blades?
A) Fibre Channel Protocol
B) Management Information Base (MIB)
C) Unified Management Interface (UCSM API)
D) Cisco Extended Ethernet Protocol
Answer: C) Unified Management Interface (UCSM API)
Explanation: UCS Manager uses a proprietary Unified Management Interface for communication between Fabric Interconnects and blade servers, enabling centralized hardware and software management.
3. What is the default encapsulation type used by Cisco FabricPath?
A) VLAN tagging
B) MAC-in-MAC encapsulation
C) VXLAN
D) TRILL encapsulation
Answer: B) MAC-in-MAC encapsulation
Explanation: Cisco FabricPath uses MAC-in-MAC encapsulation to provide Layer 2 multipath forwarding, allowing large Layer 2 networks with loop-free paths and scalability.
4. In Cisco Data Center design, which technology provides Layer 2 adjacency over Layer 3 networks?
A) VXLAN
B) OTV (Overlay Transport Virtualization)
C) VRF
D) MPLS
Answer: B) OTV (Overlay Transport Virtualization)
Explanation: OTV enables extending Layer 2 VLANs across geographically dispersed sites by encapsulating Layer 2 traffic within Layer 3 headers, providing Layer 2 adjacency over Layer 3.
5. Which Cisco UCS component is responsible for connecting servers to the network fabric?
A) Fabric Interconnects
B) UCS Manager
C) Fabric Extenders (FEX)
D) UCS Chassis
Answer: C) Fabric Extenders (FEX)
Explanation: Fabric Extenders connect the UCS blades to the Fabric Interconnects, extending the network fabric to the servers, acting like remote line cards.
6. What is the primary benefit of implementing VXLAN in a data center network?
A) Reducing IP routing overhead
B) Extending Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure
C) Encrypting data across the fabric
D) Eliminating VLANs entirely
Answer: B) Extending Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure
Explanation: VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames within UDP packets, enabling Layer 2 adjacency across a Layer 3 routed infrastructure, facilitating large-scale multi-tenant environments.
7. Which Cisco Nexus switch series is designed primarily for data center access layer with high port density?
A) Nexus 7000
B) Nexus 2000
C) Nexus 9000
D) Nexus 3000
Answer: D) Nexus 3000
Explanation: Nexus 3000 series switches are optimized for access and top-of-rack deployment with high 10/25/40/100GbE port density and low latency, suitable for data center access.
8. How does Cisco UCS Central improve data center management?
A) It manages multiple UCS domains from a single interface
B) It replaces Fabric Interconnects in UCS architecture
C) It provides Layer 3 routing for UCS domains
D) It manages only single UCS chassis
Answer: A) It manages multiple UCS domains from a single interface
Explanation: UCS Central aggregates multiple UCS Manager instances, enabling centralized policy management and inventory across data centers.
9. Which technology does Cisco ACI primarily use for policy enforcement?
A) Access Control Lists (ACLs)
B) Application Network Profiles (ANPs)
C) VRF Lite
D) Static Routing
Answer: B) Application Network Profiles (ANPs)
Explanation: Cisco ACI uses Application Network Profiles (ANPs) to define application policies, automating network behavior based on application needs.
10. What is the function of a Cisco Nexus Fabric Extender (FEX)?
A) Aggregates multiple uplinks into one
B) Acts as a remote line card for Nexus switches
C) Provides IP routing at the access layer
D) Enables wireless access
Answer: B) Acts as a remote line card for Nexus switches
Explanation: The FEX operates as a remote line card, forwarding data to the parent Nexus switch (Fabric Interconnect), simplifying management and cabling.
11. What is the maximum number of VDCs supported on a Cisco Nexus 7000 switch?
A) 8
B) 16
C) 4
D) 32
Answer: A) 8
Explanation: Cisco Nexus 7000 supports up to 8 VDCs, enabling segmentation of the physical device into multiple logical switches.
12. Which Cisco UCS component contains the server management firmware?
A) Fabric Interconnect
B) Blade server BIOS
C) CIMC (Cisco Integrated Management Controller)
D) Fabric Extender
Answer: C) CIMC (Cisco Integrated Management Controller)
Explanation: CIMC provides out-of-band management, including firmware updates and server health monitoring.
13. Which protocol does Cisco use in FabricPath to prevent Layer 2 loops?
A) Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
B) Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
C) Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS)
D) Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
Answer: C) Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS)
Explanation: FabricPath uses IS-IS as its control plane protocol to build a loop-free Layer 2 topology and support multipath.
14. Which type of UCS server profile contains policies, firmware versions, and configuration parameters?
A) Service Profile
B) VLAN Profile
C) Boot Profile
D) Management Profile
Answer: A) Service Profile
Explanation: A Service Profile abstracts server hardware and software settings, enabling consistent deployment and lifecycle management.
15. What feature allows Cisco UCS to automatically provision servers based on policy?
A) UCS Director
B) UCS Central
C) Service Profile Templates
D) FabricPath
Answer: C) Service Profile Templates
Explanation: Service Profile Templates enable the automation of server provisioning by defining reusable configurations.
16. What is the primary purpose of Cisco Data Center Overlay Transport Virtualization (OTV)?
A) Layer 2 extension over Layer 3 networks
B) Layer 3 routing in data centers
C) Multipath Layer 3 routing protocol
D) Encrypting data traffic across WAN links
Answer: A) Layer 2 extension over Layer 3 networks
Explanation: OTV extends VLANs across Layer 3 networks without traditional spanning tree issues, useful for data center interconnects.
17. Which feature in Cisco UCS allows dynamic allocation of LAN and SAN resources to servers?
A) Dynamic Port Allocation
B) LAN on Motherboard (LOM)
C) Virtual Interface Card (VIC)
D) Server Profiles
Answer: C) Virtual Interface Card (VIC)
Explanation: VICs are hardware adapters that can dynamically allocate multiple LAN and SAN interfaces to servers via software-defined partitions.
18. In Cisco Data Center design, what is a common use of vPC (Virtual Port Channel)?
A) To aggregate uplinks from a single device
B) To provide redundancy between two switches
C) To extend VLANs across Layer 3
D) To encapsulate traffic in VXLAN tunnels
Answer: B) To provide redundancy between two switches
Explanation: vPC allows links from a device to connect to two separate Nexus switches, providing redundancy and load balancing.
19. Which Cisco Nexus switch family is best suited for data center core with modular chassis?
A) Nexus 2000
B) Nexus 7000
C) Nexus 3000
D) Nexus 9000
Answer: B) Nexus 7000
Explanation: Nexus 7000 series offers high scalability and modular chassis design, ideal for data center core deployments.
20. What is a major advantage of Cisco ACI’s use of a policy-based model?
A) It requires manual VLAN configuration
B) It simplifies network provisioning based on application needs
C) It eliminates the need for IP addressing
D) It supports only static routing
Answer: B) It simplifies network provisioning based on application needs
Explanation: Cisco ACI uses policies to automate and simplify provisioning, aligning network behavior with applications.
21. Which data center component connects UCS blades to upstream switches?
A) Fabric Interconnect
B) Fabric Extender
C) Service Profile
D) UCS Manager
Answer: A) Fabric Interconnect
Explanation: Fabric Interconnects act as aggregation points and management entities connecting UCS blades to the network fabric.
22. What is the primary role of Cisco UCS Manager?
A) Routing traffic between VLANs
B) Managing UCS hardware and firmware centrally
C) Acting as a firewall between blades
D) Providing Layer 3 VPN services
Answer: B) Managing UCS hardware and firmware centrally
Explanation: UCS Manager offers a single pane of glass to configure and monitor UCS hardware components.
23. Which technology helps reduce spanning tree issues in Cisco data center networks?
A) STP
B) FabricPath
C) RIP
D) HSRP
Answer: B) FabricPath
Explanation: FabricPath uses IS-IS routing for Layer 2 multipath forwarding, eliminating spanning tree issues like blocking links.
24. Which Cisco data center technology uses the Locator/ID Separation Protocol (LISP)?
A) VXLAN
B) OTV
C) ACI
D) FabricPath
Answer: B) OTV
Explanation: OTV uses LISP to map MAC addresses to IP addresses, enabling Layer 2 extension over Layer 3 networks.
25. In UCS, what is the primary purpose of the Management Plane?
A) Data packet forwarding
B) Managing UCS configurations and hardware status
C) Running application services
D) Monitoring network traffic
Answer: B) Managing UCS configurations and hardware status
Explanation: The Management Plane controls hardware configurations, firmware updates, and health monitoring.
26. What is the function of Cisco Nexus 2000 series switches in data centers?
A) Core switching
B) Fabric Extenders for Nexus switches
C) Firewall appliances
D) WAN routers
Answer: B) Fabric Extenders for Nexus switches
Explanation: Nexus 2000 acts as Fabric Extenders, extending the Nexus switch fabric closer to servers.
27. Which protocol is recommended for large-scale Layer 2 multipath in Cisco Nexus environments?
A) Spanning Tree Protocol
B) IS-IS FabricPath
C) OSPF
D) EIGRP
Answer: B) IS-IS FabricPath
Explanation: FabricPath uses IS-IS for efficient multipath Layer 2 forwarding.
28. What capability does Cisco UCS Director provide?
A) Hardware switching only
B) Data center automation and orchestration
C) Layer 3 routing
D) IP address management
Answer: B) Data center automation and orchestration
Explanation: UCS Director enables workflow automation for provisioning compute, network, and storage.
29. What is the default VLAN range supported by Cisco Nexus switches?
A) 1-1005
B) 1-4094
C) 1006-4094 only
D) 1-100
Answer: B) 1-4094
Explanation: Cisco Nexus switches support VLANs from 1 to 4094, with 1002-1005 reserved for legacy protocols.
30. Which Cisco technology uses a centralized controller to manage data center policies and configuration?
A) Cisco FabricPath
B) Cisco UCS Manager
C) Cisco ACI
D) Cisco OTV
Answer: C) Cisco ACI
Explanation: Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) uses an Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) as a centralized policy controller.
31. What protocol does Cisco ACI use to communicate between the APIC and leaf switches?
A) NETCONF
B) OpFlex
C) SNMP
D) RESTCONF
Answer: B) OpFlex
Explanation: Cisco ACI uses OpFlex as its southbound protocol to communicate policy and configurations between the Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) and the leaf switches.
32. What is the function of the Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect when operating in end-host mode?
A) It forwards packets between VLANs.
B) It performs Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching for servers.
C) It acts as a Layer 2 bridge and connects servers directly to the fabric.
D) It disables all Layer 3 features.
Answer: C) It acts as a Layer 2 bridge and connects servers directly to the fabric.
Explanation: In end-host mode, Fabric Interconnects disable MAC learning on uplinks and present the UCS servers as end hosts, preventing MAC address flapping and improving stability.
33. Which Cisco UCS component is used to manage server firmware and BIOS policies centrally?
A) UCS Manager
B) Cisco IMC
C) UCS Director
D) Cisco Fabric Interconnect
Answer: A) UCS Manager
Explanation: UCS Manager manages firmware, BIOS policies, and hardware configurations centrally, ensuring consistency across servers.
34. How does Cisco FabricPath improve scalability in Layer 2 networks?
A) By using Spanning Tree Protocol to eliminate loops
B) By enabling Layer 3 routing between VLANs
C) By using IS-IS routing to create a loop-free multipath Layer 2 fabric
D) By limiting VLAN numbers to reduce broadcast domains
Answer: C) By using IS-IS routing to create a loop-free multipath Layer 2 fabric
Explanation: FabricPath replaces Spanning Tree Protocol with IS-IS routing to enable multipath Layer 2 forwarding and improve scalability.
35. What Cisco UCS profile abstracts physical hardware and network/storage configurations into a reusable template?
A) Boot Policy
B) Service Profile
C) Firmware Policy
D) VLAN Profile
Answer: B) Service Profile
Explanation: Service Profiles abstract physical server identity and configuration, enabling rapid provisioning and mobility of servers.
36. Which Cisco Nexus feature allows two switches to appear as a single logical device?
A) VRF
B) vPC (Virtual Port Channel)
C) VDC
D) FabricPath
Answer: B) vPC (Virtual Port Channel)
Explanation: vPC allows links from a device to connect to two separate Nexus switches, which appear as a single logical switch to the connected device.
37. What is a key advantage of using Cisco UCS VIC (Virtual Interface Card)?
A) It eliminates the need for a physical network card.
B) It allows a single physical adapter to present multiple virtual network interfaces.
C) It only supports SAN traffic.
D) It requires manual configuration for each network interface.
Answer: B) It allows a single physical adapter to present multiple virtual network interfaces.
Explanation: VICs enable multiple virtual NICs over a single physical adapter, improving flexibility and utilization.
38. Which Cisco technology provides data center interconnect by encapsulating Layer 2 frames into Layer 3 packets?
A) OTV
B) FabricPath
C) VXLAN
D) GRE Tunnel
Answer: A) OTV
Explanation: Overlay Transport Virtualization (OTV) encapsulates Layer 2 frames for transport across Layer 3 networks, supporting data center interconnects.
39. What does Cisco UCS Manager use to provide out-of-band management for blade servers?
A) Fabric Interconnects
B) CIMC (Cisco Integrated Management Controller)
C) FEX (Fabric Extender)
D) APIC
Answer: B) CIMC (Cisco Integrated Management Controller)
Explanation: CIMC provides dedicated out-of-band management capabilities including power control and monitoring for UCS blades.
40. How many Ethernet ports does a Cisco UCS 5108 chassis provide for server connectivity?
A) 8
B) 16
C) 32
D) 48
Answer: B) 16
Explanation: The UCS 5108 chassis provides 16 Ethernet ports via its two Fabric Extenders for blade connectivity.
41. In Cisco ACI, what is the main function of the Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC)?
A) It acts as a Layer 2 switch.
B) It provides centralized policy management and automation.
C) It is responsible for routing traffic.
D) It acts as a firewall for the data center.
Answer: B) It provides centralized policy management and automation.
Explanation: APIC is the centralized controller for Cisco ACI, managing policies, configurations, and telemetry.
42. Which protocol does Cisco FabricPath rely on for discovery and routing?
A) EIGRP
B) IS-IS
C) OSPF
D) BGP
Answer: B) IS-IS
Explanation: FabricPath uses IS-IS as its control plane protocol for scalable Layer 2 multipath routing.
43. What is the default behavior of Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects regarding VLANs?
A) They forward all VLANs by default.
B) VLANs must be explicitly created and assigned.
C) They block VLANs from all servers.
D) VLANs are automatically provisioned based on server profiles.
Answer: B) VLANs must be explicitly created and assigned.
Explanation: VLANs on Fabric Interconnects must be explicitly defined and assigned to server profiles or uplinks for traffic segmentation.
44. Which Cisco Nexus feature allows segmentation of a physical switch into multiple logical switches?
A) FabricPath
B) VDC (Virtual Device Context)
C) vPC
D) VLAN
Answer: B) VDC (Virtual Device Context)
Explanation: VDC allows multiple virtual switches to run on a single physical Nexus switch, providing logical separation.
45. What is the role of Cisco UCS Director?
A) Managing individual UCS blade servers only
B) Automating and orchestrating data center resources across compute, network, and storage
C) Layer 3 routing between UCS domains
D) Monitoring only storage resources
Answer: B) Automating and orchestrating data center resources across compute, network, and storage
Explanation: UCS Director provides end-to-end automation and orchestration across various data center components.
46. In Cisco UCS, what is the purpose of a boot policy?
A) To define VLAN assignments for servers
B) To specify the sequence and source for server booting
C) To allocate IP addresses dynamically
D) To set firmware upgrade policies
Answer: B) To specify the sequence and source for server booting
Explanation: Boot policies define how and from where a server boots, including SAN, local disk, or network.
47. Which Cisco data center technology allows seamless Layer 2 extension with routing capabilities?
A) OTV
B) VRF-Lite
C) FabricPath
D) vPC
Answer: A) OTV
Explanation: OTV extends Layer 2 segments across Layer 3 networks while maintaining routing and loop prevention.
48. What is the maximum number of servers supported by a single Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect pair?
A) 500
B) 1600
C) 1000
D) 800
Answer: B) 1600
Explanation: Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnect pairs can support up to 1600 servers.
49. Which Cisco UCS component enables hardware abstraction and mobility?
A) Service Profiles
B) VLAN Profiles
C) Boot Policies
D) Fabric Extenders
Answer: A) Service Profiles
Explanation: Service Profiles decouple server configuration from hardware, allowing mobility and rapid provisioning.
50. What mechanism does Cisco FabricPath use to handle multicast and broadcast traffic efficiently?
A) Replication at source switch
B) Flooding on all ports
C) IGMP snooping
D) Split Horizon
Answer: A) Replication at source switch
Explanation: FabricPath replicates multicast and broadcast traffic at the source switch to reduce unnecessary flooding.
51. What is the primary difference between Cisco Nexus 2000 and 3000 series switches?
A) Nexus 2000 are Fabric Extenders; Nexus 3000 are standalone switches
B) Nexus 2000 supports Layer 3 routing; Nexus 3000 does not
C) Nexus 2000 supports VXLAN; Nexus 3000 does not
D) Nexus 2000 is for WAN; Nexus 3000 is for LAN
Answer: A) Nexus 2000 are Fabric Extenders; Nexus 3000 are standalone switches
Explanation: Nexus 2000 devices function as Fabric Extenders, while Nexus 3000 switches are standalone switches typically used in access or top-of-rack roles.
52. In UCS, what does the term “service profile” mean?
A) A firmware upgrade profile
B) A software license profile
C) An abstraction of server hardware identity and configuration
D) A VLAN membership profile
Answer: C) An abstraction of server hardware identity and configuration
Explanation: Service profiles encapsulate the configuration of a server including network, storage, firmware, and BIOS settings.
53. Which Cisco Nexus switch software is designed specifically for data center operation?
A) IOS XE
B) IOS XR
C) NX-OS
D) CatOS
Answer: C) NX-OS
Explanation: NX-OS is Cisco’s operating system designed for Nexus switches in data centers, optimized for high availability and scalability.
54. Which Cisco UCS component provides virtualized network and storage connectivity to servers?
A) Fabric Extender
B) Fabric Interconnect
C) Virtual Interface Card (VIC)
D) Service Profile
Answer: C) Virtual Interface Card (VIC)
Explanation: VICs provide virtualized LAN and SAN interfaces, enabling multiple virtual NICs and HBAs on a single physical card.
55. Which protocol allows Cisco UCS to discover and manage hardware components?
A) CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol)
B) LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol)
C) SNMP
D) UCS Manager proprietary protocol
Answer: D) UCS Manager proprietary protocol
Explanation: UCS Manager uses proprietary communication protocols to manage and discover hardware components within UCS domains.
