Questions for the 800-150 were updated on : Dec 01 ,2025
[Maintenance and RMA Procedures]
Which two actions ensure a smooth transition to the new hardware when replacing a Cisco UCS C-
Series Rack-Mount Server? (Choose two.)
B, D
Explanation:
To ensure a smooth replacement of a Cisco UCS C-Series Rack-Mount Server, two critical actions are:
Back up the server configuration using the Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC): This
preserves all configuration data such as BIOS settings, RAID setup, and network configuration. After
replacing the hardware, this configuration can be restored to minimize setup time.
Decommission the server if it is integrated in a Cisco UCS domain: Before physically replacing the
server, decommissioning it ensures the UCS Manager properly releases it from the inventory,
preventing configuration conflicts or orphaned profiles.
Other options, like reconfiguring DHCP or disabling firewalls, are not required procedures for a UCS
C-Series hardware swap.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Maintenance and RMA
Procedures
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
What is the primary advantage of installing and deploying Cisco UCS E-Series servers in branch office
routers?
C
Explanation:
Cisco UCS E-Series servers are integrated, blade-style compute modules that can be installed inside
Cisco ISR (Integrated Services Routers). Their primary advantage is to provide local compute
resources in branch offices without needing a full data center environment.
This enables:
Hosting of virtual machines or applications locally
Reduced latency for edge computing
Lowered dependency on central data center resources
These servers are ideal for running branch-office workloads, virtualization, or edge analytics,
allowing enterprises to deploy scalable compute capabilities closer to the data source.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
===========
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Refer to the exhibit. What is the redundancy implementation in this Cisco UCS architecture?
A
Explanation:
In the provided Cisco UCS architecture diagram, the infrastructure consists of:
Two Fabric Interconnects (A and B), each connecting to:
Ethernet (LAN)
Fibre Channel (FC)
FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet)
Both Fabric Interconnects are independently connected to both Cisco UCS Chassis 1 and 2 through
I/O Modules (IOMs).
✅
This is the classic active-active UCS design, providing full path redundancy for all traffic types:
LAN uplinks are handled separately by Fabric Interconnect B.
SAN traffic is distributed through FC uplinks and FCoE uplinks via Fabric Interconnects A and B.
Each server in the chassis can fail over its traffic to the alternate fabric if one interconnect fails.
This architecture guarantees no single point of failure, which is essential in mission-critical
environments like data centers and enterprise server farms.
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Which component serves as the central management and communication core and provides a single
point of management via Cisco UCS Manager in a Cisco UCS environment?
D
Explanation:
The UCS Fabric Interconnect is the central management and communication hub of the Cisco UCS
(Unified Computing System) environment. It integrates compute, network, and storage access into a
unified system.
Fabric Interconnects:
Manage all servers and I/O modules connected to the UCS domain
Provide connectivity and are the point of integration with the Cisco UCS Manager
Offer high-availability and centralized policy management
Other options like the Nexus or MDS switches do not serve this unified management function in a
UCS deployment.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
The UCS Fabric interconnect serves as the central management and communication core in a Cisco
UCS environment, providing a single point of management via Cisco UCS Manager for the entire UCS
system, including servers, networking, and storage components.
[Cisco Licensing and Smart Licensing]
What is the primary advantage of the Cisco Intersight cloud-based approach compared to traditional
on-premises management tools?
C
Explanation:
The main advantage of Cisco Intersight is its cloud-based architecture, which allows IT administrators
to manage infrastructure from any location without needing to install or maintain traditional on-
premises management tools.
This provides:
Centralized visibility and control over UCS servers and HyperFlex infrastructure
Remote firmware upgrades and configuration
Policy-driven automation
Unlike on-premises tools, Intersight eliminates the overhead of maintaining dedicated infrastructure
for management.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Licensing and Smart
Licensing
===========
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Why is a Cisco Nexus switch typically deployed in a network?
B
Explanation:
Cisco Nexus switches are specifically designed for deployment in data centers, where they provide
high-performance, low-latency switching to support modern workloads, virtualization, and cloud
computing environments.
Nexus switches operate using NX-OS, a purpose-built operating system optimized for data center
needs. These switches support technologies like virtual port channels (vPC), FabricPath, and
Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), which are essential for scalable and highly available data
center networks.
They are not typically used in branch offices, as wireless access points, or as edge routers.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
===========
DRAG DROP
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Drag and drop the virtualized data center components from the left onto the corresponding
descriptions on the right.
None
Explanation:
In the FLDTEC curriculum, Cisco emphasizes understanding of virtualized components in enterprise
networks and UCS environments:
✅
Virtual Switch – Operates within a hypervisor, replicates L2 behavior for inter-VM and external
connectivity.
✅
Type 1 Hypervisor – Also called “bare-metal,” examples include VMware ESXi and Microsoft
Hyper-V Core; optimized for data center performance.
✅
Virtual Machine (VM) – A logical instance of a system that runs its own OS and apps, powered by
virtualized CPU, RAM, and storage.
✅
Type 2 Hypervisor – Runs atop an existing OS (e.g., VMware Workstation, VirtualBox), ideal for
labs and dev/testing.
Mastering these definitions supports field technicians in UCS deployments, virtualization
troubleshooting, and remote infrastructure diagnostics.
DRAG DROP
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Drag and drop the characteristics from the left onto the corresponding categories of MDS switch on
the right.
None
Explanation:
Cisco MDS switches are segmented into two key categories: Director-Class and Fabric Switches, each
tailored for different SAN environments:
✅
Director-Class Switches (e.g., Cisco MDS 9700 Series):
Modular and highly scalable
Support hot-swappable components (line cards, supervisors, fabric modules)
High port density and performance for core SANs in enterprise data centers
✅
Fabric Switches (e.g., Cisco MDS 9148T):
Compact, fixed-form factor
Best suited for smaller SANs or edge locations
Cost-effective and simple to deploy
This distinction is important when selecting hardware for data center core vs access layers in SAN
architectures.
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Which pod-based deployment model provides the most flexibility and scalability in a modern data
center topology?
A
Explanation:
The Spine-and-Leaf architecture is the preferred pod-based deployment model in modern data
centers because of its high scalability and flexibility. In this topology:
Leaf switches connect to servers and act as the access layer.
Spine switches function as the core layer, interconnecting all leaf switches.
This non-blocking, highly redundant model supports predictable latency, easy horizontal scaling, and
load balancing, making it ideal for cloud-scale and virtualized environments.
Top of Rack (ToR) and End of Row (EoR) are physical cabling layouts that do not inherently provide
the same level of architectural scalability.
Fabric Extender models extend switch ports but depend on upstream switches for intelligence,
limiting flexibility.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
[Maintenance and RMA Procedures]
Why is it important to verify the update status after the initial upgrade process when upgrading
firmware on a Cisco UCS C-Series server using the Host Upgrade Utility?
B
Explanation:
After upgrading the firmware on a Cisco UCS C-Series server using the Host Upgrade Utility (HUU), it
is critical to verify the update status to ensure that all targeted components (such as BIOS, CIMC, and
RAID controller firmware) have been successfully updated.
Firmware upgrades often involve multiple subsystems, and partial or failed updates can result in
inconsistencies or even device instability. Verifying the update status allows the technician to identify
any missed components and perform corrective actions if necessary.
Options like generating compliance reports, third-party application checks, or license activations are
not the primary reasons for this verification step in the HUU process.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Maintenance and RMA
Procedures
===========
DRAG DROP
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Drag and drop the Cisco UCS components from the left onto the corresponding functionalities on the
right.
None
Explanation:
According to FLDTEC documentation and Cisco UCS architecture guides, each of these elements plays
a distinct and essential role:
✅
Fabric Interconnects (FI) – Act as the central switching and management point for the UCS
domain, connecting servers to LAN and SAN.
✅
Virtual Interface Cards (VICs) – Installed in servers, these adapters support virtualization of
multiple NICs and HBAs, enabling dynamic profile assignment.
✅
Fabric Extenders (FEXs) – Extend the I/O fabric from the FI to the chassis, reducing complexity
and consolidating management.
✅
Servers – Provide the actual compute resources and run workloads. These can be blade or rack
servers housed in the UCS chassis.
This structure is critical to the Cisco Unified Fabric approach, which simplifies data center
management through integration and automation.
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
Which two network design strategies in Cisco data center solutions improve fault tolerance and high
availability? (Choose two.)
B, D
Explanation:
To ensure high availability and fault tolerance in Cisco data center designs, two effective strategies
include:
Redundant Supervisor Engines and Fabric Modules: These provide failover capabilities, so if one
supervisor or fabric module fails, another can take over, maintaining network operations without
interruption.
Virtual Port Channels (vPCs): vPCs allow connections to be made to two physical switches while
appearing as one logical switch. This prevents loops and adds redundancy and load balancing, which
is critical in high-availability environments.
Other options may enhance performance (e.g., high-density Ethernet) or extend functionality (e.g.,
FCIP), but do not directly contribute to fault tolerance and high availability in the same way.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
[Cisco Licensing and Smart Licensing]
Which two cloud computing services are vendor-managed in an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
delivery model? (Choose two.)
B, C
Explanation:
In the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) model, the cloud provider is responsible for managing and
maintaining the underlying infrastructure components, including:
Networking: The cloud provider handles all aspects of network configuration, hardware, and virtual
networking.
Storage: The cloud provider supplies and manages the physical and virtual storage infrastructure
required to support the consumer’s data needs.
The customer is responsible for managing:
Operating Systems
Applications
Data
This model offers flexibility while shifting infrastructure maintenance responsibilities to the service
provider.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Licensing and Smart
Licensing
===========
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
What is the purpose of the chassis in a blade server environment?
D
Explanation:
In a blade server environment, the chassis serves as the enclosure that houses multiple blade
servers. It provides shared power, cooling, and connectivity resources. Blade servers are compact
server modules that insert into the chassis, and the shared infrastructure makes the entire system
efficient in space, power, and management.
The chassis does not act as a switch or storage array itself but provides interconnects and sometimes
integrated networking components.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
[Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware]
What must be verified before installing or replacing DIMMs in a Cisco UCS server?
B
Explanation:
Before installing or replacing DIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules) in a Cisco UCS server, it is
essential to verify the current DIMM configuration and the population order. Cisco UCS servers have
strict memory population rules to ensure optimal performance and compatibility, particularly in
relation to memory channels and banks.
While the type, capacity, and firmware compatibility are important, failing to follow the correct
population guidelines can result in failed boot processes or suboptimal performance.
Reference: Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) – Cisco Equipment and Related
Hardware
===========