800-150 Questions and Answers

Step 1 → Performs power-on self-test (POST)

Step 2 → Loads and runs bootstrap code (firmware)

Step 3 → Finds and loads the Cisco IOS software

Step 4 → Finds and loads the configuration

Step 5 → Runs the configured Cisco IOS software

This startup process is thoroughly described in theFLDTECcourse and alignswith Cisco's standard IOS boot process:

POST (Power-On Self-Test):Verifies hardware functionality including memory and interfaces. This occurs immediately upon powering the device.

Bootstrap Code Execution:Bootstrap is a small program in ROM that initiates the boot process.

Cisco IOS Loading:Bootstrap locates and loads the IOS from flash memory or another source (e.g., TFTP).

Configuration Loading:The router then loads the startup-config from NVRAM (if available).

IOS Execution:Once the configuration is loaded, the device enters operational mode and executes the IOS with the loaded config.

This sequence is vital for field technicians to understand for troubleshooting boot failures or performing device recoveries.

Cisco Nexus switchesare specifically designed for deployment indata centers, where they providehigh-performance, low-latency switchingto support modern workloads, virtualization, and cloud computing environments.

Nexus switches operate usingNX-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.

In a Class B network, the default subnet mask is 255.255.0.0, which allocates:​

16 bits for the network portion

16 bits for the host portion​

When the subnet mask is changed to255.255.255.0, it becomes:​

24 bits for the network portion

8 bits for the host portion​

This indicates that8 bitshave been borrowed from the host portion to create additional subnets. Borrowing bits allows for the division of the original network into smaller sub-networks, enhancing organization and security within the network.​

A → Line cards

Provide the physicalinterfaces for network connectivity.

B → Route processor cards

Manage routing functions and system control.

C → Transceivers

Installed in the ports of line cards for optical/electrical signal transmission.

D → Power supplies

Provide power to themodular system and are hot-swappable.

Cisco'sNCS 5500 Seriesis designed for service provider and data center deployments. The FLDTEC course outlines the layout of FRUs in modular platforms like this one:

A – Line Cards: Located in the upper slots, these modules handle the bulk of switching and forwarding functions.

B – Route Processor Cards (RP Cards): Positioned centrally, these provide management and control plane services for the router.

C – Transceivers: Installed into the line cards, transceivers provide physical connectivity through optical or copper interfaces.

D – Power Supplies: Located in the bottom rear section, these modules provide redundant and hot-swappable power to the chassis.

Recognizing each FRU visually and functionally is critical when performingRMA procedures,component diagnostics, orhardware upgradesin the field.

Theboot systemcommand is used in globalconfiguration mode to specify the source and filename of the Cisco IOS software image that should be loaded during the device’s boot process. This command ensures that the device loads a specific IOS image, whether it's stored locally in flash or fetched from a TFTP server.

Syntax example:

boot system flash:c1900-universalk9-mz.SPA.157-3.M3.bin

boot image,boot ios, andboot sourceare invalid or non-existent in standard Cisco IOS.

During password recovery on Cisco devices, the configuration register is modified to instruct the device to bypass the startup configuration stored in NVRAM. This allows administrators to access the device without being prompted for existing passwords. The standard procedure involves changing the configuration register value to0x2142, which tells the device to ignore the startup configuration during the next boot. Once access is gained, the administrator can reset passwords and then restore the original configuration by resetting the configuration register to its default value, typically0x2102.​

To back up the startup configuration of a Cisco device to a USB drive, the commandcopy startup-config usbflash0:[filename]is used. This command copies the contents of the startup configuration file stored in NVRAM to a specified file on the USB flash drive. This is particularly useful for creating backups before performing upgrades or replacements.​Option A:Copies the startup configuration to a TFTP server, not a USB drive.

Option B:Attempts to copy from the USB drive to the startup configuration, which is the reverse of the desired operation.

Option D:Copies the running configuration, not the startup configuration, to the USB drive.​

A → Power supply modules

B → Fan tray assembly

C → Line card slots 1 and 2

D → Supervisor modules

E → Line card slots 5, 6, and 7

The power supply units (A) are at the top, the fan tray (B) is a vertical module on the left, line cards (C and E) span multiple slots horizontally, and supervisor modules (D) are typically placed centrally for control functions.

In theFLDTEC courseunderCisco Modular Hardware Overview, the Cisco Catalyst 9400 series is broken down into clearly defined FRU zones:

Power Supply Modules (A):Located at thetop of the chassis, these provide redundant, hot-swappable power to the switch.

Fan Tray Assembly (B):Mounted vertically on the left, this ensures proper cooling and airflow throughout the chassis.

Line Card Slots 1 and 2 (C):Located in the upper section for network expansion.

Supervisor Modules (D):Positioned centrally, they handle control plane operations, management, and switching logic.

Line Card Slots 5, 6, and 7 (E):Lower slots for high-density port expansion.

Correct FRU identification ensures successful maintenance, upgrades, and hardware replacement during field operations.

The main advantage ofCisco Intersightis itscloud-based architecture, which allows IT administrators tomanage infrastructure from any locationwithout 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.

Bundle modesimplifies the installation and operation of Cisco IOS XE Software by using a monolithic image file. In thismode, the switch runs directly from the bundled image, eliminating the need to manage individual software packages. This approach is straightforward and reduces complexity, making it suitable for environments where simplicity is a priority.​

However, it's important to note that:​

Bundle mode may result in slower boot times compared to Install mode.

It does not support the independent installation or upgrade of individual packages.

Thepackages.conffile is not utilized in Bundle mode; it's specific toInstall mode.​

Theshow flash:command is used todisplay the contents of the device's flash memory, which is where the Cisco IOS image is typically stored. By issuing this command, a technician can verify available space and determine whether there is enough capacity to accommodate a new IOS image before initiating an upgrade or image replacement process.

This command provides a detailed listing of files, their sizes, and the total and available memory space within the flash file system.

show file-systemlists all available file systems but doesn’t detail their content.

show memoryshows runtime memory usage (RAM), not flash memory.

show storageis not a standard IOS command.

Before shutting down any Cisco collaboration device (such as an IP phone, video endpoint, or codec) for replacement, it is essential toback up the configuration. This ensures that all custom settings, including user profiles, network configurations, and service settings, are preserved and can be quickly restored on the replacement device.

This backup minimizes downtime and avoids manual reconfiguration errors during the swap process.

Cisco MDS switches are segmented into two key categories: Director-Class and Fabric Switches, each tailored for different SANenvironments:

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.

Within theFLDTECtraining, especially underMaintenance and RMA Procedures, there is a strong emphasis on safely transferring and adapting configurations from failed or decommissioned devices to replacement units.

The official guidance includes the following:

"When reusing a configuration from an old device, make sure to retain the necessary security elements such as username entries. This ensures the replacement device is still accessible under the correct user credentials."

Here's a breakdown of why the correct answer isB:

A. Remove all configurations under line vty 0 4:This would eliminate remote access settings, making it harder to manage the device.

B. Retain all username entries:Correct. Keeping the username entries ensures continued secure access and avoids loss of administrative control.

C. Keep all access-list commands intact:Not always required — ACLs are often tailored to interface-specific settings or environments which may differ between devices.

D. Add the enable password cisco command:Not a best practice. Default passwords (like cisco) should be avoided for security reasons, and it's not required if enable secret is already in use.

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Cisco Room Kit→ All-in-one devices for personal workspaces and meeting rooms

Cisco Desk Series→ Standalone modular video conferencing systems

Quad Camera→ Multi-angle video capture for immersive experiences

Room Navigator→ Touch panel for room controls and scheduling

Cisco Board→ Interactive touchscreen displays supporting video conferencing

Cisco’s collaboration portfolio includes a wide variety ofhardware endpointsused toenhance remote communication and conference room experiences. These are highlighted in the FLDTEC material as follows:

Cisco Room Kit: Combines camera, codec, speakers, and microphones into one device — designed for easy integration with displays in meeting spaces.

Cisco Desk Series: Purpose-built for desktop video conferencing and modular setups.

Quad Camera: Offersautomatic speaker trackingandintelligent framing, used in large rooms for immersive experiences.

Room Navigator: Used tocontrol meetings, reserve rooms, and manage smart building functions.

Cisco Board: Interactive digital whiteboard that integratesvideo conferencing, whiteboarding, and wireless sharing.

Theshow inventorycommand is used on Cisco devices to display detailed information about thehardware components installed, including:

Product Identifier (PID)

Version Identifier (VID)

Serial Number (SN)

Description of the component

In the exhibit, the output clearly shows:

NAME: "Chassis", DESCR: "Cisco ISR4451-X/K9"

PID:ISR4451-X/K9, VID: V01, SN: FCW2134L0SH

This confirms thatshow inventoryis the correct command to retrieve theserial numberand hardware inventory details.

show versionprovides some system information and sometimes includes serial numbers, but it's not as reliable or detailed for component-level hardware info.

show idpromis not commonly used and not supported on all platforms.

show platformprovides platform-specific info but not typically the serial number.

Cloud-based managementis a core feature of Cisco Merakiswitches and significantly simplifies the device replacement process. When a failed switch is replaced:

The new hardware can be claimed in the Meraki dashboard.

The previously assigned configuration is automatically applied to the replacement device.

This eliminates the need for local reconfiguration and ensures continuity with minimal manual effort.

This centralized approach ensures that configurations are stored securely and consistently applied across devices.

These command associations are part of Cisco IOS essentials taught in FLDTEC's "Device Configuration and Verification" topic. Here's how each command functions:

show running-config

Displays the active configuration stored in RAM.

This command is used to verify the current settings on a Cisco device.

copy running-config startup-config

Saves the current running configuration to NVRAM, ensuring the configuration persists after a reboot.

This is critical after making changes to devicesettings.

copy tftp: running-config

Loads a configuration from a TFTP server and applies it to the current running configuration.

Often used during remote device setup or restoration.

copy usbflash0:backup.cfg running-config

Restores a saved configuration file from a USB drive.

Useful in field operations where physical backup media is used during maintenance.

These tasks are routine for field technicians performing configuration backups, restorations, and diagnostics in Cisco environments.

Anon-premises deploymentmodel minimizes dependence on internet connectivity for core collaboration functions. In this model, all critical services, including call control, messaging, and conferencing, are hosted within the organization's local infrastructure. This ensures that internal communication services remain operational even if internet connectivity is lost.​

In contrast, cloud-based deployments (Options A and C) and Hosted Collaboration Solutions (Option D) rely on internet connectivity to access services hosted externally, making them more susceptible to internet outages.​

TheCisco UCS X9508 Modular Chassis, part of the UCS X-Series architecture, is designedwithout a midplane, which marks a major shift from previous UCS models. Themidplane-free designis critical because:

✅Direct front-to-rear airflowis made possible without obstruction.

✅This airflow architectureenhances thermal efficiency, especially important duringcompute node replacementsor upgrades.

✅It allowsmodules to communicate via side-plane connectors, which are located on the sides rather than a fixed midplane.

This architecture:

Simplifies mechanical design

Reduces cooling complexity

Improvesmodularityandaccessibility

????Why the other options are incorrect:

A.Hot-swapping is supported, but notbecauseof midplane-free design—it's a UCS standard feature.

C.Upgrades to faster interconnects are enabled by side-plane I/O, not by midplane absence alone.

D.Power efficiency is a broader chassis feature, not specifically driven by the midplane design.

Inability to manage or control switch functions → Supervisor module

Failure to maintain optimal temperatures → Fan module

Loss of connectivity on specific ports → Line card

Inability to establish fiber optic connections → Transceivers

Degraded internal data transfer between line cards → Fabric module

From theFLDTEC training materials, Cisco MDS switches are built for high availability and redundancy, but field technicians must know which component impacts whatfunction:

Supervisor Module: Manages control plane functions — a failure results in loss of system-level management or redundancy.

Fan Module: Essential for cooling — failure here leads to overheating and thermal alarms.

Line Card: Provides connectivity — port failures or loss of interface status originate from faulty line cards.

Transceivers (SFP/QSFP modules): Responsible for optical transmission — failure leads to fiber optic link issues.

Fabric Module: Critical for switching between line cards — its failure leads to degraded or disrupted internal traffic paths.

These mappings help techniciansisolate the source of faultsand proceed with the correctRMA or replacementprocedure.

Theshow interface statuscommand offers a succinct overview of switch port characteristics, including:​

Port ID

VLAN assignment

Duplex mode

Speed

Media type​

This command is particularly useful for quickly assessing theoperational status and configuration of switch ports, aiding in troubleshooting and verification tasks.​

In contrast:​

show cdp neighborsdisplays information about directly connected Cisco devices.

show controllersprovides low-level hardware information.

show ip interface briefoffers a summary of IP-related interface information.​

In theFLDTEC course, underSafety and ESD Procedures, Cisco outlines the following safety workflow before working on any network hardware:

Locate Emergency Power-Off Switch: Identifying how to cut power quickly is essential in case of an electrical fault or emergency.

Disconnect Power: Always ensure the power source is turned off and disconnected before handling any components.

Verify with Multimeter: Use a multimeter to confirm that no voltage is present before proceeding.

Connect ESD Strap: Once confirmed safe, attach your ESD strap to a grounded point to prevent electrostatic damage to sensitive components.

Following this process is critical not only forpersonal safetybut also forequipment protection, especially duringhardware installation, maintenance, or RMA replacements.

In a local area network (LAN), the primary function of aswitch is to operate at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model. Switches use MAC addresses to forward frames to the appropriate destination ports. This targeted forwarding mechanism divides the network into separate collision domains for each switch port. By isolating collision domains, switches significantly reduce the chance of collisions, enhancing the performance and efficiency of the network.

Unlike hubs, which forward all traffic to all ports (thus creating a single collision domain), switches intelligently forward only the necessary traffic to the correct port. This capability allows multiple simultaneous conversations on different switch ports without interference.

Routers, which operate at Layer 3 (Network Layer), are used to route packets between different networks, not within the same LAN. Wireless connectivity is provided by wireless access points (WAPs), not switches. Encryption is typically handled by security protocols or devices such as firewalls and not by switches directly.

Online Insertion and Removal (OIR)is a feature supported by Cisco ASR routers that allows for the insertion and removal of hardware components, such as line cards and modules, while the router is operating. Thiscapability enables maintenance and upgrades without the need to power down the system, thus minimizing network downtime.​

Key aspects of OIR include:​

Seamless Operation:OIR allows for hardware changes without interrupting the router's operation.​

Preservation of Routing Information:The router maintains all routing information and active sessions during the insertion or removal process.

Administrative Shutdown:While not mandatory, it is recommended to administratively shut down the interfaces associated with the component being removed to ensure a graceful transition.​

This feature is particularly beneficial in high-availability environments where maintaining continuous network service is critical.​