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100+ Free Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Practice Questions

Pass your Cisco DCSAN: Implementing Cisco Storage Area Networking (300-625) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Which command on MDS shows the buffer-to-buffer credit allocation and current usage on an FC interface?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Exam

55-65

Exam Questions

Multiple-choice / multi-select

90 min

Time Limit

Pearson VUE delivery

$300

Exam Fee (USD)

Per attempt

4 domains

Blueprint Weights

15 / 35 / 25 / 25

3 yrs

Certification Validity

CCNP Data Center

Pearson VUE

Test Delivery

In-person or OnVUE online proctored

Cisco DCSAN (300-625) is a 90-minute, ~55-65 question CCNP Data Center concentration exam from Cisco delivered through Pearson VUE for US$300, with no published passing score. The v1.0 blueprint covers four domains: Deployment (15%), Implementation (35%), Management and Monitoring (25%), and MDS Troubleshooting (25%). Exam topics span MDS 9000 hardware and NX-OS, Fibre Channel and FCoE, VSANs, NPV/NPIV, zoning, IVR, FCIP, and DCNM-based management. Note that the v1.0 exam topics still reference legacy DCNM, although Cisco has since renamed the product to Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) — questions on this exam may use either name. Passing 300-625 plus the 350-601 DCCOR core counts toward CCNP Data Center.

Sample Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which Cisco MDS 9000 fixed-port switch is a 1RU 32-Gbps Fibre Channel switch designed as an entry-level fabric switch with 8/16/32-port-on-demand licensing?
A.MDS 9132T
B.MDS 9396T
C.MDS 9148T
D.MDS 9706
Explanation: The MDS 9132T is a 1RU 32-Gbps Fibre Channel fabric switch with up to 32 line-rate FC ports activated through a port-on-demand model (base 8 ports plus 16-port port-on-demand expansion modules). It is the entry-level 32G fixed switch in the MDS 9000 family.
2Which MDS 9700-series director-class chassis provides the largest slot count for FC line cards in the current portfolio?
A.MDS 9706
B.MDS 9710
C.MDS 9718
D.MDS 9148T
Explanation: The MDS 9718 is the largest director-class chassis in the 9700 family, supporting up to 18 slots (16 FC line-card slots plus two supervisor slots) for high-density FC, FCoE, and FCIP modules. The 9710 has 10 slots and the 9706 has 6 slots.
3An engineer is performing the first-time NX-OS setup on a new MDS 9148T. Which utility runs automatically at the first console login to configure admin password, switch name, mgmt0 IP, and default VSAN settings?
A.POAP wizard
B.setup script (System Configuration Dialog)
C.Bash shell
D.Cisco DCNM Bootstrap
Explanation: On first boot, NX-OS runs the System Configuration Dialog (the 'setup' script). It interactively asks for the admin password, switch name, mgmt0 IP/mask, default gateway, default VSAN, and other base parameters before saving the running config.
4POAP (Power On Auto Provisioning) on an MDS switch requires which of the following to function on first boot?
A.Cisco APIC controller in fabric mode
B.DHCP server providing the script-server URL plus a reachable TFTP/HTTP server hosting the configuration script
C.A pre-loaded startup-config in NVRAM
D.Console-only access with manual setup
Explanation: POAP triggers when an MDS boots with no startup-config. It cycles through interfaces sending DHCP requests; the DHCP reply must include option 66/150 (or equivalent) pointing to a script server. The switch then downloads a Python configuration script via TFTP/HTTP/SCP and executes it to apply the config and image.
5Which two NX-OS image files must be loaded on an MDS 9000 switch for normal boot? (Choose the best answer.)
A.kickstart and system images
B.boot and bios images
C.epld and lcnxos images
D.firmware and license images
Explanation: MDS NX-OS uses a two-image boot model: a kickstart image (Linux kernel + base drivers) and a system image (NX-OS feature set). The boot variables 'boot kickstart bootflash:...' and 'boot system bootflash:...' must reference matching versions.
6Which command performs a non-disruptive upgrade of NX-OS on a redundant-supervisor MDS 9700 director when the new release is ISSU-compatible?
A.copy running-config startup-config
B.install all kickstart bootflash:<file> system bootflash:<file>
C.reload module 1
D.boot system bootflash:<new-image>
Explanation: The 'install all' command runs the NX-OS upgrade workflow: it performs compatibility checks, validates ISSU eligibility, and on dual-sup directors performs a non-disruptive upgrade by failing over the active supervisor while data-plane FC traffic continues.
7Cisco NDFC (Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller) is the renamed successor to which legacy management application referenced in the DCSAN v1.0 blueprint?
A.Cisco Prime Infrastructure
B.Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager)
C.Cisco Tetration
D.Cisco UCS Manager
Explanation: Cisco rebranded DCNM to NDFC (Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller). NDFC runs as an application on the Nexus Dashboard cluster and offers SAN, LAN, and SAN+IPFM personas. The DCSAN v1.0 blueprint still names DCNM, but NDFC is the current product.
8Which DCNM/NDFC persona is selected when deploying the controller specifically to manage MDS 9000 SAN fabrics?
A.LAN Fabric
B.SAN Controller (formerly DCNM-SAN)
C.Media Controller (IPFM)
D.Container Cloud
Explanation: When installing NDFC (or legacy DCNM), the SAN Controller persona — historically called DCNM-SAN — is chosen for managing FC and FCoE fabrics on MDS switches. It exposes the DCNM-SAN client and Device Manager and provides SAN topology, zoning, and performance views.
9An engineer wants to verify that an MDS supervisor only loaded a digitally signed Cisco NX-OS image during boot. Which feature provides cryptographic verification of the image at boot?
A.Image MD5 hash check
B.Cisco Secure Boot (image signature validation in hardware/firmware)
C.Authentication Header (AH) over IPSec
D.TACACS+ command authorization
Explanation: Cisco Secure Boot uses an anchor of trust in immutable hardware/firmware to verify digital signatures on the bootloader, kickstart, and system images before execution. If signature verification fails, the switch refuses to boot the tampered image.
10In which mode are MDS 9700 supervisor and fabric modules deployed for redundancy in production?
A.Active/Active supervisors with single fabric module
B.Dual supervisors in Active/Standby with multiple fabric modules for N+1 forwarding redundancy
C.Single supervisor with stack-wise fabric
D.Standalone supervisors with NPV mode
Explanation: MDS 9700 directors run dual supervisors in Active/Standby (with stateful switchover), and use multiple crossbar fabric modules (typically 3 to 6) configured for N+1 redundancy so loss of one fabric module does not reduce per-port bandwidth below line rate.

About the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Exam

The Cisco 300-625 DCSAN: Implementing Cisco Storage Area Networking concentration exam validates skills in deploying, implementing, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco MDS 9000 storage networks. Topics include MDS 9000 platforms (9132T, 9148T, 9396T, 9700-series directors), NX-OS install and POAP, Secure Boot, Fibre Channel port channels and VSAN trunking, FC protocol services (FCNS, FSPF, Domain Manager, CFS), FCoE with PFC/ETS/DCBX, NPV and NPIV, device aliases, basic/enhanced/smart zoning, Inter-VSAN Routing with NAT, VSAN extension over FCIP with IPsec, DCNM/NDFC management with RBAC, slow-drain analysis (TxWait, BB_SCs), SAN Analytics / SST with KVGPB telemetry, and MDS troubleshooting (duplicate domain IDs, zone merge failures, boot/upgrade recovery).

Assessment

Approximately 55-65 multiple-choice and multi-select items covering Deployment (15%), Implementation (35%), Management and Monitoring (25%), and MDS Troubleshooting (25%)

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

Cisco does not publish a fixed cut score

Exam Fee

US$300 (Cisco / Pearson VUE)

Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Exam Content Outline

15%

Deployment

MDS 9000 platforms (9132T, 9148T, 9396T, 9700-series directors), NX-OS install via setup script, DCNM/NDFC install on Nexus Dashboard, POAP via DHCP options 66/150 + 67, Secure Boot signature validation, supervisor/fabric-module redundancy, and install all upgrade workflows.

35%

Implementation

FC port channels with E_Port aggregation, channel modes, and equal-cost handling. FC services: FLOGI, FCNS with controlled distribution, Domain Manager. Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) regions and peers. FCoE with Ethertype 0x8906, FIP discovery, FCoE_LEP, PFC, ETS priority groups, and DCBX over LLDP. VSAN ranges (1 default, 2-4078 user, 4079-4093 reserved, 4094 isolated), VSAN trunking (TE_Port). NPV (no FC domain) and NPIV (multiple FLOGIs per F_Port), F_Port channels with NP_Ports. Device aliases (basic, enhanced, distributed via CFS). Zoning (basic, enhanced session-based, smart zoning). Inter-VSAN Routing with NAT. VSAN extension over FCIP with IPsec, Write Acceleration, and Tape Acceleration.

25%

Management and Monitoring

DCNM-SAN client and Device Manager (NDFC SAN persona on Nexus Dashboard), licensing tiers, RBAC and AAA (RADIUS/TACACS+ with VSAN-scoped roles), FC fabric security (FC-SP DH-CHAP, port-security), slow-drain analysis with TxWait and BB_SCs, Port Monitor with congestion-isolation actions, SAN Analytics / SAN Telemetry Streaming (SST), telemetry encoding (KVGPB and JSON over gRPC), and NDFC SAN Insights host-path views.

25%

MDS Troubleshooting

FC domain conflicts and duplicate-domain-ID isolation, zone merge failures (same zoneset name with conflicting members), principal-switch selection with priority and WWN tiebreaker, RCF/build-fabric (fcdomain restart), boot recovery from the loader prompt with manual kickstart/system load, install all upgrade issues, OBFL hardware-event review, hardware-resource carving for ACL TCAM, and CFS lock/coherence problems after software upgrades.

How to Pass the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Cisco does not publish a fixed cut score
  • Assessment: Approximately 55-65 multiple-choice and multi-select items covering Deployment (15%), Implementation (35%), Management and Monitoring (25%), and MDS Troubleshooting (25%)
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam fee: US$300

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Cisco 300-625 DCSAN Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize VSAN ranges cold: VSAN 1 default, 2-4078 user-configurable, 4079-4093 reserved, 4094 isolated. Ports without a VSAN assignment fall into 4094 and cannot communicate.
2Learn the FCoE wire facts exactly: Ethertype 0x8906 for FCoE frames and 0x8914 for FIP, with PFC + ETS + DCBX (over LLDP) forming the lossless DCB triad.
3Practice the difference between NPV (no FC domain, NP_Ports uplink to NPIV core) and NPIV (multiple FLOGIs on a single F_Port). Know that a SAN port channel between them uses NP_Ports + F_Ports (or TNP/TF when trunked).
4Drill the three zoning modes: basic (no session lock, distribute via 'zoneset distribute'), enhanced (session-based with explicit 'zone commit'), and smart zoning (member roles to optimize hardware ACLs).
5For slow-drain troubleshooting, anchor on TxWait (tx-credit-not-available) and BB_SCs (Buffer-to-Buffer State Change) recovery; know the Port Monitor + Congestion Isolation toolkit on MDS.
6Walk through MDS recovery flows on paper: principal-switch selection (priority then lower WWN tiebreaker), 'fcdomain restart vsan' to RCF, and boot-prompt manual kickstart/system load when install all leaves the switch at switch(boot)#.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam?

The Cisco 300-625 DCSAN: Implementing Cisco Storage Area Networking exam is a 90-minute concentration exam in the CCNP Data Center track. It tests deploying, implementing, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco MDS 9000 SAN fabrics including FC, FCoE, VSANs, NPV/NPIV, zoning, IVR, FCIP, and DCNM/NDFC management. Pass it together with the 350-601 DCCOR core to earn CCNP Data Center.

How many questions are on the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam, and what is the time limit?

The DCSAN exam typically presents 55-65 multiple-choice and multi-select items in a 90-minute window through Pearson VUE. Cisco does not publish a fixed cut score; community reports place the passing scaled score near 825/1000. The four domains are weighted 15% Deployment, 35% Implementation, 25% Management and Monitoring, and 25% MDS Troubleshooting.

What topics are on the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam?

Topics include MDS 9000 platforms (9132T, 9148T, 9396T, 9700-series directors), NX-OS install via the setup script, POAP, Secure Boot, FC port channels and VSAN trunking, FC services (FCNS, FSPF, Domain Manager, CFS), FCoE with FIP and DCB (PFC, ETS, DCBX over LLDP), NPV and NPIV, device aliases (basic, enhanced, distributed via CFS), basic/enhanced/smart zoning, IVR with NAT, VSAN extension over FCIP with IPsec, DCNM/NDFC management with RBAC, slow-drain analysis with TxWait and BB_SCs, SAN Analytics / SST telemetry (KVGPB encoding), and MDS troubleshooting (duplicate domain ID, zone merge failures, boot/upgrade issues).

How much does the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam cost?

The DCSAN exam costs US$300 per attempt and is delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers or online via OnVUE. Standard Cisco retake policy applies: a 5-day waiting period between attempts, and passing candidates cannot retake the same exam within 180 days.

Does the 300-625 exam still cover DCNM, or has it moved to NDFC?

The current v1.0 DCSAN blueprint still references legacy DCNM (Data Center Network Manager). Cisco has renamed DCNM to NDFC (Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller), so candidates should know both names — the SAN Controller persona of NDFC is the modern equivalent of DCNM-SAN and DCNM Device Manager. Expect questions that use either term.

How long is the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN certification valid?

The CCNP Data Center certification (which DCSAN counts toward) is valid for 3 years. To recertify, pass any qualifying Cisco professional or expert exam, complete continuing education credits through the Cisco Continuing Education Program, or pass a higher-level Cisco exam before expiration.

Do I need experience to take the Cisco 300-625 DCSAN exam?

There are no formal prerequisites, but Cisco recommends 3-5 years of enterprise networking and SAN experience plus solid CCNA-level fundamentals. Hands-on time on Cisco MDS 9000 switches, configuring VSANs, zoning, NPV/NPIV, and FCoE, plus experience with DCNM/NDFC, materially improves pass rates.