Implementing Cisco Data Center Virtualization and Automation (DCVAI) Practice Exam
Are you preparing to take the Implementing Cisco Data Center Virtualization and Automation (DCVAI) certification exam? Exam Sage offers a comprehensive practice test designed to help you master the skills required for this critical Cisco data center certification. Whether you’re a network professional, systems engineer, or data center administrator, this practice exam will sharpen your knowledge and boost your confidence to succeed on the real exam.
What Is the DCVAI Exam?
The DCVAI exam validates your ability to implement and manage Cisco’s data center virtualization and automation technologies. It covers advanced topics such as server virtualization, Cisco UCS (Unified Computing System) management, Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) fabric automation, and orchestration using modern automation tools. Passing this exam demonstrates your expertise in deploying scalable, efficient, and automated data center environments using Cisco technologies.
What Will You Learn?
How to configure and manage Cisco UCS components and service profiles
Cisco ACI fabric fundamentals, including policy creation, micro-segmentation, and tenant configuration
Automating data center operations with Cisco UCS Director and other orchestration tools
Implementing network virtualization and overlay technologies
Managing firmware, power policies, and server lifecycle in Cisco UCS Manager
Understanding integration with cloud platforms and hybrid environments
Key Topics Covered
Cisco UCS architecture and components
Service profile creation and stateless computing
Cisco ACI fabric setup, Endpoint Groups (EPGs), and contract management
Automation and orchestration using Cisco UCS Director and APIs
Firmware and maintenance policies
Data center security best practices and micro-segmentation
Troubleshooting common data center virtualization challenges
Why Choose Exam Sage for Your DCVAI Exam Preparation?
Exam Sage is a trusted source for high-quality practice exams crafted by industry experts with years of Cisco networking experience. Our practice tests simulate the actual DCVAI exam environment, complete with detailed explanations for each question to help you understand the concepts thoroughly. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, Exam Sage’s DCVAI practice exam is designed to enhance your preparation and help you achieve certification success.
Realistic exam simulations to test your readiness
Comprehensive coverage of all exam objectives
Clear, detailed explanations for every question
Instant access after purchase for flexible study
Regularly updated content to reflect the latest Cisco exam changes
Start your journey towards Cisco Data Center Virtualization and Automation certification today with Exam Sage — your reliable partner in exam success.
Sample Questions and Answers
1. What is the primary function of Cisco UCS Manager?
A. Manage IP addresses across virtual environments
B. Automate Layer 2 switching
C. Configure and manage Cisco UCS components
D. Provision firewall rules for UCS Fabric Interconnects
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco UCS Manager provides a centralized interface to configure and manage all UCS components like servers, chassis, and fabric interconnects.
2. Which protocol does Cisco UCS use to manage hardware components?
A. SNMP
B. NetFlow
C. XML API
D. IPMI
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco UCS Manager uses XML API for programmatic access to the UCS infrastructure.
3. Which tool provides a GUI for building Python scripts in Cisco ACI environments?
A. APIC CLI
B. NX-OS Shell
C. ACI Toolkit
D. Visore
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Visore is a GUI-based interface to explore the ACI object model and generate Python or REST API code.
4. In Cisco ACI, what is the role of a Bridge Domain?
A. Assign VLAN IDs
B. Define endpoint IPs
C. Define Layer 2 forwarding
D. Create VXLAN overlays
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A Bridge Domain in ACI defines the Layer 2 forwarding domain and is essential for endpoint communication.
5. Which language is commonly used for scripting automation in Cisco UCS?
A. Java
B. Bash
C. Python
D. Ruby
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Python is widely used for automating Cisco UCS via UCS SDK and UCS Python modules.
6. What does the acronym MO represent in Cisco UCS XML API?
A. Managed Operation
B. Model Object
C. Management Object
D. Memory Operand
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: MO stands for Management Object in Cisco UCS XML API, representing logical entities like servers or interfaces.
7. Which feature enables multi-tenant segmentation in Cisco ACI?
A. Application Profile
B. Bridge Domain
C. Tenant
D. VRF
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Tenants are logical containers that allow multi-tenant segmentation in Cisco ACI.
8. What Cisco product provides the GUI and REST API for managing ACI fabric?
A. Cisco DNA Center
B. Cisco APIC
C. Cisco Prime
D. Cisco UCS Manager
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) manages the ACI fabric and exposes RESTful APIs.
9. Which two tools are used to monitor Cisco UCS events? (Choose two)
A. SNMP
B. UCS Manager GUI
C. Wireshark
D. Visore
E. UCSM CLI
Correct Answers: B, E
Explanation: UCS Manager GUI and CLI provide real-time event and fault monitoring features for Cisco UCS.
10. What is the primary purpose of a Service Profile in Cisco UCS?
A. Assign MAC addresses
B. Define VM templates
C. Define compute policies and identity
D. Set up virtual networks
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A Service Profile defines server identity and hardware policies, making provisioning faster and consistent.
11. What protocol is used by Cisco UCS for out-of-band management?
A. Telnet
B. SNMP
C. HTTPS
D. XML over HTTPS
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Cisco UCS XML API communicates over HTTPS, ensuring secure out-of-band management.
12. Which tool simplifies the automation of Cisco UCS environments using PowerShell?
A. UCS Toolkit
B. UCS Director
C. ACI Simulator
D. Intersight
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The UCS PowerTool (Toolkit) is a PowerShell module designed for UCS automation.
13. In ACI, what object defines a group of endpoints with common policy needs?
A. Application Profile
B. Bridge Domain
C. Endpoint Group (EPG)
D. VRF
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: EPGs group endpoints and are used to apply consistent policies across similar devices.
14. Which REST method is used to update a resource in Cisco UCS Manager API?
A. GET
B. POST
C. PUT
D. DELETE
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The PUT method is used in RESTful APIs to update an existing resource.
15. What component in Cisco UCS abstracts physical hardware?
A. vNIC
B. Hypervisor
C. Service Profile
D. Fabric Interconnect
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Service Profiles abstract the physical hardware by assigning logical configurations.
16. What type of API does Cisco UCS Director primarily use for automation?
A. SOAP
B. REST
C. XML-RPC
D. Netconf
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Cisco UCS Director provides REST APIs for orchestration and automation.
17. Which type of interface in UCS connects to servers?
A. Uplink
B. Host
C. Server
D. Downlink
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Downlink interfaces connect Fabric Interconnects to servers.
18. What UCS component handles connectivity between chassis and interconnects?
A. I/O Module
B. FI
C. UCS Manager
D. Supervisor
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: The I/O Module (IOM) connects chassis servers to the Fabric Interconnects.
19. Which feature ensures consistent server configuration in UCS?
A. MAC Pools
B. IP Pools
C. Boot Policy
D. Service Profile Templates
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Templates ensure consistency and reduce errors in service profile creation.
20. Which object allows VXLAN encapsulation in Cisco ACI?
A. VRF
B. Bridge Domain
C. EPG
D. VLAN Pool
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Bridge Domains define the Layer 2 forwarding domain and enable VXLAN encapsulation.
21. Which protocol allows northbound communication in Cisco ACI?
A. REST API
B. BGP
C. OSPF
D. LLDP
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Cisco ACI provides a northbound RESTful API for integration with external systems.
22. What does the UCS Python SDK interact with?
A. Cisco APIC
B. UCS Manager API
C. ACI Simulator
D. Netconf Server
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The UCS Python SDK allows programmatic interaction with the UCS Manager via its API.
23. Which tool visualizes Cisco ACI object relationships?
A. UCSM
B. Cisco Prime
C. Visore
D. APIC GUI
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Visore displays object relationships in Cisco ACI, helpful for scripting and API development.
24. Which of the following is not part of a Service Profile?
A. BIOS Policy
B. Boot Policy
C. IP Routing Policy
D. vNIC/vHBA Configurations
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: IP Routing Policies are not part of UCS Service Profiles. They focus on server configurations.
25. What type of fabric is used in Cisco ACI?
A. Star
B. Ring
C. Spine-Leaf
D. Mesh
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco ACI uses a Spine-Leaf architecture for scalability and redundancy.
26. Which UCS Manager component is responsible for policy definition?
A. Fault Manager
B. Policy Engine
C. Fabric Interconnect
D. Admin Tab
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The Policy Engine in UCS Manager handles policy evaluation and application.
27. Which programming structure is used in UCS XML API?
A. REST Schema
B. JSON Tree
C. XML Hierarchy
D. HTML Form
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The XML API uses a strict XML hierarchy to define management objects and their attributes.
28. What UCS Director workflow component executes tasks sequentially?
A. Script Shell
B. Action Loop
C. Task Scheduler
D. Workflow Engine
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The Workflow Engine in UCS Director executes pre-defined automation tasks in sequence.
29. What type of object is a Logical Interface Profile in UCS?
A. Physical Interface
B. VLAN mapping
C. Template for vNICs
D. UCS Template
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Logical Interface Profiles define configuration for vNICs and vHBAs in UCS.
30. Which automation framework is supported natively in Cisco Intersight?
A. Chef
B. Puppet
C. Ansible
D. Terraform
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco Intersight integrates with Ansible to automate UCS and HyperFlex systems.
31. Which UCS component manages server discovery and inventory?
A. Fabric Interconnect
B. UCS Manager
C. Chassis Management Controller
D. CIMC
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: UCS Manager handles all server discovery, configuration, and inventory management through the Fabric Interconnects.
32. In Cisco ACI, what is an Application Profile used for?
A. Assign VLANs
B. Define endpoint groups and contracts
C. Map physical servers
D. Create hypervisors
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Application Profiles group EPGs and define communication policies (contracts) within the ACI fabric.
33. Which of the following is a valid method to back up a UCS configuration?
A. Using Cisco Intersight
B. APIC GUI snapshot
C. UCS Manager Backup Policy
D. Exporting a JSON file
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: UCS Manager provides Backup Policies to export configurations in XML format for disaster recovery or migration.
34. What does the term “stateless computing” refer to in UCS?
A. Shared MAC addresses across servers
B. Ability to change hardware with no impact on workload
C. Removing the BIOS from servers
D. Running VMs directly on Fabric Interconnects
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Stateless computing allows servers to be swapped without affecting identity or configuration, managed via Service Profiles.
35. What is the primary purpose of Cisco Intersight?
A. Monitor firewall traffic
B. Automate network troubleshooting
C. Cloud-based infrastructure lifecycle management
D. Local switch provisioning
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco Intersight is a cloud-based platform that provides monitoring, automation, and lifecycle management for data center infrastructure.
36. What kind of fabric policy in ACI defines Layer 3 forwarding rules?
A. Bridge Domain
B. VRF
C. EPG
D. Application Profile
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) defines Layer 3 routing domains within a tenant in ACI.
37. Which object in UCS contains BIOS settings for servers?
A. Boot Policy
B. BIOS Policy
C. Maintenance Policy
D. vNIC Template
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The BIOS Policy in UCS defines BIOS configuration settings that are applied through Service Profiles.
38. What is the purpose of a Maintenance Policy in UCS?
A. Automate server shutdown
B. Define when disruptive changes occur
C. Schedule system backups
D. Configure IP addressing
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Maintenance Policies define how and when disruptive changes, like firmware upgrades, are applied to servers.
39. What tool allows local scripting within a Cisco Nexus switch?
A. EEM
B. NX-API
C. Bash shell
D. Guest shell
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Guest shell is a secure Linux container that allows local scripting and CLI automation on Cisco NX-OS switches.
40. Which object allows ACI to connect with external Layer 3 networks?
A. EPG
B. L3Out
C. VRF
D. Application Profile
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: An L3Out (Layer 3 Out) object connects the ACI fabric to external routed networks, allowing policy-based routing.
41. What’s the benefit of using Pools in UCS (e.g., MAC, UUID, WWNN)?
A. Manual assignment of resources
B. Enhances scalability but not automation
C. Ensures consistent and automated identity assignment
D. Used only during UCS initial setup
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Identity pools like MAC or WWNN Pools automate and standardize identity assignment, especially during service profile deployment.
42. Which Python library provides Cisco ACI object model wrappers?
A. Netmiko
B. ACI Toolkit
C. UCS SDK
D. Napalm
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: ACI Toolkit is a Python library that simplifies interaction with the ACI object model for automation.
43. In Cisco UCS, what is a vNIC?
A. A virtualized BIOS interface
B. A software-based network switch
C. A logical interface that appears to the OS as a NIC
D. A direct Fibre Channel interface
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: vNICs (Virtual NICs) are logical network interfaces assigned to UCS servers via Service Profiles.
44. How is fault tolerance achieved in ACI fabric?
A. STP loop protection
B. Active/Standby controllers
C. Equal-cost multipathing across leaf-spine topology
D. Loopback IP addressing
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: ACI uses a spine-leaf topology that supports equal-cost multipathing (ECMP) for fault tolerance and scalability.
45. Which tool simulates an ACI environment for training or testing?
A. Intersight
B. ACI Toolkit
C. ACI Simulator
D. Cisco Modeling Labs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The ACI Simulator provides a virtualized APIC and fabric topology for testing, training, and development.
46. Which data format does the ACI REST API primarily use?
A. YAML
B. CSV
C. JSON
D. INI
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Cisco ACI REST APIs use JSON as the primary data format for structured data exchange.
47. What policy controls the boot sequence in UCS?
A. Maintenance Policy
B. BIOS Policy
C. Boot Policy
D. Firmware Policy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Boot Policies define the order in which devices like SAN, LAN, or local disks are used during server startup.
48. What does the Cisco UCS Manager Logical Organization tab show?
A. Network statistics
B. Physical cable layout
C. Hierarchical policies and profiles
D. UCSM system logs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The Logical Organization tab in UCS Manager displays how policies, pools, and templates are logically arranged.
49. Which port type connects a UCS Fabric Interconnect to the LAN?
A. Server Port
B. Uplink Port
C. Appliance Port
D. Management Port
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Uplink Ports on UCS Fabric Interconnects connect the UCS system to the external LAN infrastructure.
50. In ACI, what is the primary function of a Contract?
A. Group endpoint IPs
B. Define communication rules between EPGs
C. Create new tenants
D. Assign IP addresses
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Contracts define communication policies (e.g., permit/deny) between Endpoint Groups (EPGs).
51. How are firmware updates applied in UCS without impacting workload?
A. Use low-priority boot
B. Use UCS firmware templates
C. Schedule with Maintenance Policies
D. Use APICs
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Maintenance Policies in UCS allow firmware updates to be staged and applied during controlled maintenance windows.
52. What tool in UCS helps identify policy application issues?
A. Tech Support Bundle
B. FSM tab (Finite State Machine)
C. Visore
D. SNMP log viewer
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The FSM tab shows the real-time state transitions of UCS operations and helps identify policy or deployment issues.
53. Which transport protocol does UCS XML API operate over?
A. HTTP
B. HTTPS
C. SSH
D. Telnet
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: UCS XML API communicates securely using HTTPS.
54. What UCS object ensures high availability of service profiles?
A. Failover VLAN
B. LAN Pin Groups
C. Service Profile Template
D. Redundancy Policy
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Service Profile Templates allow for rapid, consistent deployment and ensure failover mechanisms can be pre-defined.
55. What’s the function of the ACI Object Store?
A. Store VM images
B. Retain system logs
C. Maintain state of all managed objects
D. Backup configurations
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The ACI Object Store is a real-time database that maintains the state and configuration of all managed objects.
