Cisco 400-007 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

Company XYZ is preparing to set up both its primary and disaster recovery (DR) data centers. Each location will utilize redundant SAN fabrics, and data replication is required between them. These two facilities are situated 100 miles (160 km) apart. The company has set a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) of 3 hours and a Recovery Time Objective (RTO) of 24 hours. 

When planning the replication strategy between these sites, which two considerations are most important? (Select two.)

A. One-way latency due to the distance may hinder meeting the defined RPO and RTO
B. Extending VSANs between both locations is necessary to boost performance and uptime
C. Routing VSANs between sites helps isolate fault zones and increases resilience
D. Synchronous replication must be used to align with RPO and RTO goals
E. Asynchronous replication is more appropriate to prevent load on the primary data center

Correct Answers: A, E

Explanation:

When planning a replication strategy between data centers that are geographically dispersed, the most critical factors to assess are network latency, distance, and how they impact the chosen replication method. In the case of Company XYZ, the two data centers are separated by approximately 100 miles (160 km). This creates challenges related to latency and synchronous communication.

Option A is correct. The physical distance introduces a one-way network delay that becomes significant, especially when using synchronous replication. This delay can cause issues in meeting the company's Recovery Point Objective (RPO) of 3 hours and Recovery Time Objective (RTO) of 24 hours. Latency affects data acknowledgment and synchronization times, which means that the longer the delay, the higher the risk of replication lag or delays in failover operations. Therefore, the latency introduced by distance must be taken into account when planning the replication architecture.

Option E is also correct. Asynchronous replication is better suited for environments where there is a considerable physical distance between sites. This method allows data to be written to the primary storage system first and replicated to the secondary site after a delay. This strategy helps avoid performance degradation at the primary data center because it does not wait for acknowledgment from the secondary site. While asynchronous replication does introduce a risk of data loss (depending on the lag), it is often necessary to maintain system performance and handle geographic separation effectively.

Option B is incorrect because extending VSANs between geographically distant sites adds complexity and risk, and is not essential for improving replication performance or availability. It’s more beneficial in local or metro environments.

Option C is also incorrect. While routing VSANs could theoretically help with fault isolation, it is not directly relevant or beneficial to achieving the defined RPO and RTO.

Option D is inaccurate. Synchronous replication typically requires ultra-low latency connections to function effectively. Over a 100-mile distance, latency can become a barrier, making it unlikely to consistently meet RPO and RTO goals with this method. Therefore, asynchronous replication is more practical in this scenario.

Question 2:

A company architect receives a directive from the Chief Technology Officer to design a data center solution for a new system that must deliver nearly zero data loss and immediate recovery capabilities. 

To meet this goal, which combination of replication method and inter-site connectivity is the most suitable?

A. Synchronous replication over widely separated data centers connected via MPLS
B. Synchronous replication between nearby data centers using Metro Ethernet
C. Asynchronous replication across distant data centers connected through CWDM
D. Asynchronous replication between two data centers using DWDM links

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

The architect is tasked with designing a system that achieves near-zero Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO). RPO refers to how much data can be lost in the event of a failure, while RTO refers to how quickly services can be restored. Achieving "close to zero" for both metrics demands a highly responsive and tightly synchronized infrastructure.

Option B is the most suitable. Synchronous replication between two geographically close data centers connected via Metro Ethernet is optimal for achieving minimal RTO and RPO. Metro Ethernet provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity within a metropolitan region, which is ideal for synchronous replication. This method writes data simultaneously to both primary and secondary sites, ensuring real-time duplication. Since the sites are near each other and the network link is fast, there's no delay in data transfer, meaning recovery is nearly instantaneous and data loss is virtually nonexistent.

Option A, although it uses synchronous replication, is not ideal due to the use of MPLS over long distances. While MPLS is a reliable WAN technology, it cannot guarantee the ultra-low latency required for zero RPO/RTO when used between distant data centers. Synchronous replication over long distances suffers from high latency, which can hinder application performance and risk violating SLAs.

Option C, which uses asynchronous replication over CWDM between remote sites, is insufficient for zero RPO. Asynchronous methods inherently allow for data lag since data is committed to the secondary site after it's written to the primary. CWDM can offer large bandwidth but does not eliminate latency, so the replication delay leads to a non-zero RPO.

Option D, also based on asynchronous replication (this time using DWDM), faces the same limitation. Despite DWDM’s higher bandwidth and longer distance support compared to CWDM, asynchronous replication still implies potential data loss, making it unsuitable for the CTO’s requirement.

To meet the objective of nearly instant recovery and no data loss, Option B, synchronous replication via Metro Ethernet between closely located data centers, is the only option that effectively addresses both technical performance and business expectations.

Question 3:

A CTO has set a stringent requirement for a new system: both the Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) must be as close to zero as possible. 

Which combination of replication method and data center interconnect technology is best suited to meet this objective?

A. Synchronous replication using geographically distributed dual data centers via MPLS
B. Synchronous replication using dual data centers connected via Metro Ethernet
C. Asynchronous replication across geographically dispersed dual data centers using CWDM
D. Asynchronous replication between dual data centers using DWDM

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

When designing systems with a near-zero RTO and RPO, the key focus is minimizing both downtime and data loss during a disaster or system failure. The best approach to achieving these objectives is to use synchronous replication, where data is written to the primary and secondary systems at the same time, ensuring real-time consistency.

Option A, which involves synchronous replication over MPLS across geographically dispersed data centers, does support real-time data synchronization. However, latency becomes a critical challenge when the data centers are far apart. Even small delays introduced by physical distance can cause performance degradation and synchronization issues, which may make achieving zero RTO and RPO impractical.

Option B, on the other hand, uses Metro Ethernet, which is optimized for high-speed, low-latency communication between geographically proximate data centers—often within the same city or metropolitan area. This low-latency link supports synchronous replication effectively, allowing both systems to remain in constant real-time sync. The proximity of the data centers ensures that replication can occur with negligible delay, enabling both instant recovery (RTO ~ 0) and zero data loss (RPO ~ 0) in case of failure. This makes Option B the best fit.

Option C uses asynchronous replication over CWDM across widely spaced data centers. Although CWDM can handle large amounts of data transmission, asynchronous replication means there’s always a delay between the write operations to the primary and secondary systems. If a failure occurs before data reaches the backup site, some data loss is inevitable—disqualifying this option from meeting a near-zero RPO.

Option D is similar in nature. It employs DWDM, another high-capacity optical technology, but again in an asynchronous manner. Regardless of the bandwidth capabilities of DWDM, asynchronous replication still cannot guarantee zero data loss due to write delays.

To meet the CTO’s demand for minimal recovery time and no data loss, synchronous replication using Metro Ethernet offers the most practical and technically sound approach.

Question 4:

Which of the following frameworks is most appropriate for developing a comprehensive network architecture that includes analyzing business needs, identifying existing gaps, and generating detailed design diagrams for future implementation?

A. FCAPS
B. COBIT
C. TOGAF
D. ITIL

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Developing a network architecture that is aligned with business goals involves several crucial phases: understanding business requirements, performing a gap analysis to determine what's missing, and then translating these insights into architectural designs and implementation roadmaps. To facilitate this complex process, a well-structured and scalable framework is needed—one that supports both technical and business perspectives.

TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is specifically crafted for this purpose. It provides a detailed methodology for enterprise architecture, known as the Architecture Development Method (ADM), which guides practitioners through key phases such as Architecture Vision, Business Architecture, Information Systems Architecture, and Technology Architecture. TOGAF ensures that architecture is not developed in isolation but is closely aligned with the business strategy. It includes tools for conducting gap analyses, defining baseline and target architectures, and documenting them using network and enterprise diagrams, making it ideal for future planning and implementation.

In contrast, FCAPS is a framework designed primarily for network operations management, focusing on five areas: Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security. While it is essential for monitoring and managing existing networks, it does not offer a structured approach to architecture development or requirements gathering.

COBIT, short for Control Objectives for Information and Related Technologies, is focused on IT governance and management. It is highly effective for setting policies, aligning IT goals with business objectives, and auditing performance. However, COBIT does not delve deeply into the architecture design process or offer a methodology for creating network diagrams or identifying technical gaps.

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) provides best practices for IT service management. Its core strength lies in delivering and supporting IT services efficiently. While ITIL does include elements of service design, it lacks the architectural rigor and business analysis components required for developing network infrastructures.

Ultimately, TOGAF stands out as the most appropriate and comprehensive framework for designing network architectures that incorporate business analysis, gap assessment, and detailed future-state planning. It bridges the gap between business strategy and technical implementation more effectively than any of the other listed frameworks.

Question 5:

Which two types of planning methodologies are most commonly employed when creating business-aligned network designs and supporting informed design decisions? (Choose two.)

A. Strategic planning approach
B. Business optimization approach
C. Tactical planning approach
D. Modular approach
E. Cost optimization approach

Correct Answers: A, C

Explanation:

Developing a network infrastructure that aligns with organizational goals requires deliberate planning. Two key planning methodologies—strategic planning and tactical planning—play central roles in shaping business-driven network designs that support both current operational needs and future growth.

Strategic planning focuses on the long-term vision of the business. It is a high-level approach that considers where the organization wants to be over an extended period—typically several years. When applying a strategic planning model to network design, architects evaluate anticipated business expansion, market trends, evolving technology standards, and regulatory expectations. The outcome is a roadmap that outlines how the network infrastructure should evolve to support that vision. For instance, strategic planning might dictate that a scalable, cloud-ready network be implemented to support a future move to hybrid infrastructure. This approach ensures that short-term decisions do not conflict with long-term goals, such as adopting edge computing or AI-based services.

Tactical planning, on the other hand, serves to bridge the gap between strategic goals and operational execution. It translates broad objectives into specific, actionable steps and timelines. Tactical plans deal with current and near-future requirements such as upgrading firewalls, improving Wi-Fi infrastructure, or integrating new collaboration tools. While strategic planning defines “what” and “why,” tactical planning deals with “how” and “when.” For example, a tactical decision may involve implementing SD-WAN within the next 12 months to support remote workforce expansion.

Other options may sound relevant but fall short of addressing the full scope of network planning:

• Business optimization (Option B) focuses more on enhancing existing operations rather than planning new architectures. It is often reactive rather than forward-looking.

• Modular approach (Option D) is a design methodology emphasizing compartmentalization, but it’s more about scalability than aligning with business strategy.

• Cost optimization (Option E) is an essential consideration, but it is a constraint or goal—not a planning methodology.

Therefore, strategic planning sets the long-term direction, while tactical planning ensures near-term feasibility and execution, making both critical for business-driven network design.

Question 6:

A company is considering connectivity solutions to establish a Data Center Interconnect (DCI) between two production sites for a large-scale migration effort. The connection must provide a 10 Gbps link, allow internal Quality of Service (QoS) management without provider involvement, and will only be needed for one year. 

Which transport technology offers the most cost-effective solution for this temporary requirement?

A. DWDM over dark fiber
B. Metro Ethernet
C. MPLS with wires only
D. CWDM over dark fiber

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

When selecting a Data Center Interconnect (DCI) technology, especially for a short-term project like a one-year migration, organizations must weigh key factors such as bandwidth, control over Quality of Service (QoS), cost, and ease of deployment. In this scenario, Metro Ethernet stands out as the most practical and budget-friendly solution.

Metro Ethernet services are typically offered by telecom providers within metropolitan regions and provide high-speed Ethernet connectivity between two locations. It is often delivered as a leased service, making it ideal for temporary needs. One of its biggest advantages is flexibility—customers can usually manage their own QoS settings to prioritize traffic types without needing constant involvement from the service provider. This supports evolving migration phases, such as data replication, testing, and final cutovers. Because the infrastructure already exists and requires minimal setup, Metro Ethernet is fast to deploy and does not incur heavy capital investment.

In contrast, DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) over dark fiber involves leasing or owning fiber optic infrastructure and investing in expensive optical gear to support multiple wavelengths. While it delivers exceptional capacity and scalability, it’s cost-prohibitive for short-term use due to high setup and maintenance costs. DWDM is better suited for long-term, high-throughput scenarios across data centers.

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) provides QoS and is widely used in WANs, but it’s not as cost-efficient for a temporary, high-bandwidth point-to-point connection. It typically involves complex configurations and provider involvement, limiting a customer’s ability to manage QoS independently.

CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing), while less costly than DWDM, still requires dark fiber and optical equipment, and it offers fewer channels and shorter range. It faces similar cost and infrastructure constraints, making it less suitable for a one-year deployment.

In summary, Metro Ethernet offers the best balance between performance, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment for this specific short-term project. Its ability to support a 10 Gbps link, allow self-managed QoS, and avoid the capital-intensive investment of fiber-based optical solutions makes it the ideal DCI transport option in this case.

Question 7:

A company is planning a Data Center Interconnect (DCI) solution to link two primary production facilities. In the first year, the setup must include dual 10G links without any single point of failure. By the second year, the system must expand to support up to 20 reliable 10G connections to support isolated SAN over IP and dedicated replication traffic. 

All connections are full-duplex 10Gbps. Considering scalability and cost-efficiency over two years, which transport method would be the most economical?

A. CWDM
B. DWDM
C. MPLS
D. Metro Ethernet

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

Selecting an ideal Data Center Interconnect (DCI) technology involves weighing scalability, fault tolerance, and cost-efficiency across the intended lifecycle of the solution. This scenario outlines the need for dual 10G connections from the start, with a requirement to scale up to 20 independent 10G connections in the second year—all while maintaining resiliency and controlling expenses.

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) is the most appropriate technology here. CWDM allows multiple 10G signals to coexist on a single pair of fiber by transmitting them on different light wavelengths. It’s optimized for short-to-medium distances and typically supports up to 8 or 16 channels depending on the equipment and fiber quality. It’s significantly cheaper than DWDM and allows for straightforward incremental upgrades—critical for this scenario, where future scalability is essential.

DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) supports a much higher number of channels—up to 80 or more—but is considerably more expensive to implement and operate. Although it offers more scalability than CWDM, the added cost is not justified for a requirement that caps at 20 connections. DWDM would be overkill and less cost-effective for a two-year timeline.

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), while known for its flexibility and QoS capabilities, isn't an ideal fit in this context. MPLS circuits are leased services with recurring costs and are not as easily scalable or dedicated as optical transport technologies. Furthermore, MPLS is typically not used for high-performance, low-latency DCI, especially when SAN traffic is involved.

Metro Ethernet, while a viable option for many enterprise networks, generally incurs ongoing service provider costs. Scaling to 20 resilient 10G circuits via Metro Ethernet would involve significant infrastructure or service expansion, which would likely be more expensive than leveraging existing dark fiber and adding CWDM optics.

In conclusion, CWDM offers a lower initial cost, supports the scalability required in year two, and enables physical redundancy with dual fiber paths. Its simplicity, effectiveness for short distances, and affordability make it the most cost-effective solution for this two-year DCI deployment scenario.

Question 8:

When building a network infrastructure, aligning the design with broader organizational goals is essential. 

Which two of the following represent valid business-driven objectives that should influence network design decisions? (Choose two.)

A. Integrate endpoint posture
B. Ensure faster obsolescence
C. Minimize operational costs
D. Reduce complexity
E. Standardize resiliency

Correct Answers: C, D

Explanation:

A well-architected network does more than just connect devices; it helps drive the business forward. The network must support long-term business goals, such as improving efficiency, lowering costs, and enabling agility. Understanding which objectives are truly business-oriented is critical for making effective design choices.

Minimizing operational costs (C) is one of the top strategic goals of any business and is highly relevant to network design. Operational costs can include maintenance, power consumption, personnel, licensing, and support. A network designed with efficiency and automation in mind—using modular designs, centralized management, and reliable components—will reduce ongoing expenses. Over time, this results in a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), which is a key business metric.

Reducing complexity (D) is another important business goal. A simpler network is easier to manage, monitor, secure, and scale. Complexity often introduces risks, slows down operations, and requires more specialized staff. By minimizing layers, standardizing configurations, and consolidating functions where possible, the network becomes more robust and easier to maintain—freeing up resources to focus on innovation and value-add activities.

Now let’s look at why the other options don’t qualify as business-centric goals:

• Integrate endpoint posture (A): While securing endpoints and monitoring their compliance posture is vital, it is a technical requirement that supports the business goal of security. It’s not, in itself, a core business objective.

• Ensure faster obsolescence (B): This is counterproductive. Business objectives aim to extend the lifespan of investments, not shorten them. Designing for rapid obsolescence would result in frequent costly upgrades and operational disruption.

• Standardize resiliency (E): While resiliency is important in any network, it is considered a technical attribute or requirement rather than a business driver. The business value lies in continuity and uptime, but standardizing resiliency is not an objective—delivering continuous service is.

To summarize, minimizing operational costs and reducing complexity directly align network architecture with business efficiency, sustainability, and agility. These two principles ensure that the network will support the organization’s long-term goals without introducing unnecessary costs or operational burdens.

Question 9:

What is the main role of Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) in an enterprise collaboration architecture involving SIP trunking?

A. It manages endpoint registrations to Cisco Unified CM
B. It routes calls between internal and external SIP networks, providing demarcation and security
C. It replaces the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) entirely with H.323
D. It controls Quality of Service (QoS) for video endpoints only

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

In Cisco Collaboration solutions, Cisco Unified Border Element (CUBE) serves as a critical Session Border Controller (SBC) that manages SIP trunking between an enterprise VoIP network and an external service provider. Its primary role is to act as a gateway and security boundary between internal Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) clusters and external SIP networks.

The CUBE provides multiple essential services:

• Protocol normalization: Converts SIP variants between internal and external networks, ensuring interoperability.

• Media interworking: Supports codec and DTMF translation, and can facilitate changes between secure and non-secure media streams.

• Security: Hides the internal IP addressing from the service provider using NAT (Network Address Translation), performs SIP ALG functions, and supports TLS/SRTP for encrypted signaling and media.
  Call Admission Control (CAC) and QoS marking to ensure call quality and resource management.

Let’s review the options:

• A is incorrect because endpoint registration is managed by CUCM, not CUBE.

• B is correct as CUBE’s main function is to route SIP calls across network boundaries while providing security, interoperability, and demarcation.

• C is incorrect since CUBE supports multiple protocols but doesn’t "replace" SIP with H.323; rather, it supports interworking between them if needed.

• D is too limited. CUBE supports QoS, but across all media streams (voice and video), and its main role is broader than just QoS.
  Thus, the correct answer is B, and understanding this function is critical for configuring enterprise SIP trunks in the CCIE Collaboration environment.

Question 10:

In Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), what is the purpose of a route pattern when configuring call routing for PSTN access?

A. It assigns MAC addresses to phones
B. It defines digit patterns to match dialed numbers and routes them to appropriate gateways or trunks
C. It prioritizes VoIP traffic over other types of traffic on WAN links
D. It controls phone firmware upgrades

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

In Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), route patterns are fundamental components of call routing. They define the digit strings (such as PSTN numbers) that CUCM should match when users dial a number. Once a pattern is matched, CUCM uses the associated route list, route group, or gateway to complete the call.

A route pattern includes the following attributes:

• A specific digit string (e.g., 9.@ or 9011!) using wildcards or exact matches

• A partition, which is used for calling search space logic

• A route filter (optional) to further control digit matching

• A calling search space (indirectly through directory numbers)

For example, if users dial 9 to get an outside line and then enter a full PSTN number, the route pattern might be 9.@—which tells CUCM to strip the 9 and send the remaining digits to a SIP trunk, H.323 gateway, or MGCP gateway.

Now let’s review the options:

• A is incorrect because MAC address assignment occurs during phone provisioning, not routing.

• B is correct: route patterns are the core method CUCM uses to match dialed digits and forward calls to the appropriate telephony resources.

• C is incorrect because QoS prioritization is handled on network devices like routers and switches, not by CUCM directly.

• D is incorrect because firmware management for phones is handled through TFTP and phone configuration files.

To conclude, understanding how route patterns control the dial plan and direct calls to external gateways is crucial for passing the Cisco 400-007 exam and successfully deploying collaboration solutions.