800-150 Cisco Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC) Free Practice Exam Questions (2026 Updated)

During the boot process of Cisco devices runningNX-OS, pressingCtrl-Cat the right time will interrupt the boot sequence and bring the system to theboot loader or ROMmon mode(commonly referred to as the boot prompt).

This allows a technician to perform low-level operations such as recovering passwords, specifying an alternate boot image, or performing diagnostics.

Other options (Ctrl-X, Ctrl-Z, Ctrl-1) are not used for interrupting the boot process in Cisco NX-OS platforms.

Before installing or replacingDIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules)in a Cisco UCS server, it is essential to verify thecurrent 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.

On Cisco Catalyst 8000 Series Edge platforms, removing the chassis cover provides access to internal components such asDIMMs (Dual In-line Memory Modules)andSSDs (Solid-State Drives). These components are located internally and require the removal of the chassis cover for maintenance or replacement.​

DIMMsare used for system memory and are essential for the router's operation.

SSDsprovide storage for system software and configurations.​

Other components likeNetwork Interface Modules (NIMs)andtransceiversare typically accessible externally and do not require chassis cover removal.​

In theFLDTEC curriculum, technicians are trained on physical tools essential for support in the field. These tools and their uses are explained as follows:

Flash Card Reader:Used with removable CompactFlash cards commonly found in older Cisco routers and switches. These cards hold the IOS image or config files.

USB Thumb Drive:Used for transferring IOS files or configs directly to and from Cisco devices that support USB storage. Convenient for portable backups.

RJ-45 Ethernet Loopback Connector:A diagnostic tool that loops the signal back into the port. Helps verify port functionality by simulating a live Ethernet connection.

RJ-45 Coupler:Allows two patch cables to be connected, effectively extending the reach of a cable — useful in setups where a single cable is not long enough.

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.

In theInfrastructure 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.

For standalone Cisco Secure Firewall deployments, theCisco Secure Firewall Device Manager (FDM)is the most appropriate management option. FDM is a browser-based, on-box management tool that allows administrators to configure and manage a single firewall device without the need for external management infrastructure. It provides an intuitive interface for basic configurations, policy management, and monitoring.​

In contrast:​

Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC)is designed for centralized management of multiple firewall devices.

Cisco Defense Orchestrator (CDO)is a cloud-based solution for managing security policies across various devices.

Cisco Security Manageris an older platform primarily used for managing ASA devices.​

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.

A speed mismatch occurs when two connected Ethernet devices are configured to operate at different speeds. In scenario A, one device is manually set to 1 Gbps, while the other is set to 100 Mbps. Since both ends are hard-coded to different speeds, they cannot successfully negotiate a common speed, leading to a mismatch and resulting in a failed or unstable link.​

In contrast, scenario B, where both ends are manually set to the same speed, ensures compatibility and stable communication. Scenario C can lead to a duplex mismatch rather than a speed mismatch; the auto-negotiating end may default to half-duplex if it cannot determine the duplex setting of the manually configured end. Scenario D is less common; if auto-negotiation fails, devices may revert to their lowest common speed, but this typically results in reduced performance rather than a complete mismatch.​

In the hierarchical network design model, theaccess layeris the first layer and serves as the entry point for end-user devices to connect to the network. This layer connects user devices such as PCs, IP phones, wireless access points, printers, and scanners to the network. It facilitates the initial connection between end-user devices and the network infrastructure. The access layer also enforces security policies and provides services such as VLAN membership, port security, and Quality of Service (QoS).​

Options A, C, and D refer to functions typically associated with the core or distribution layers, or with WAN connectivity, rather than the access layer.​

In the providedCisco 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 bothCisco UCS Chassis 1 and 2through I/O Modules (IOMs).

This is theclassic active-active UCSdesign, providingfull path redundancyfor all traffic types:

LAN uplinksare handled separately by Fabric Interconnect B.

SAN trafficis distributed throughFC uplinksandFCoE uplinksvia Fabric Interconnects A and B.

Each server in the chassis canfail over its traffic to the alternate fabric if one interconnect fails.

This architecture guaranteesno single point of failure, which is essential inmission-critical environmentslike data centers and enterprise server farms.

Acrossover UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cableis used to connect two similar devices directly. This includes:​

Switch to switch

Router to router

PC to PC​

The crossover cable reverses the transmit and receive pairs, allowing for proper communication between like devices without the need for an intermediary device.​

Conversely, astraight-through cableis used to connect dissimilar devices, such as:​

PC to switch

Router to switch

PC to router​

This cable maintains the same wiring on both ends, suitable for connecting different types of devices.​

Therefore, when connecting electrically like devices, a crossover cable is appropriate.​

To ensure asmooth replacementof 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.

In theFLDTEC course, underMaintenance and RMA Procedures, Cisco outlines a specific sequence for bringing up anE-Series server modulein an ISR router. The sequenceensures proper recognition, IOS compatibility, and network readiness:

Power up the router and server: Ensures both components are initialized and POST begins.

Verify that the router recognized the server: Use service-module commands or show platform to confirm server visibility.

Load a compatible Cisco IOS image onto the ISR: The IOS must support the E-Series module to provide integration and configuration functionality.

Connect the server to the network: Establish network connectivity for services, remote access, or deployment.

This structured approach is essential for minimizing errors duringmodular hardware upgrades or RMAsin the field.

OnCisco Meraki switches,Stack Port 1(along with Stack Port 2) is used to form aphysical stacking connectionbetween multiple switches. These stack ports arededicated high-speed interconnectsthat enable multiple switches to operate as a single logical switch.

The stacking topology depends on the number of switches, but Stack Port 1 serves as one side of this high-speed inter-switch communication channel — not for management or cloud access.

Kickstart Image→ Specialized bootloader that initializes the hardware

System Image→ Contains the full NX-OS kernel and operating system

Global configuration command mode→ Provides access to the broadest range of commands that affect the device as a whole

EXEC command mode→ Allows for displaying device status and configuration information

This knowledge is covered underCisco IOS/NX-OS Software Basicsin the FLDTEC training:

Kickstart Image:Alightweight bootloader image that initializes hardware and launches the system image. It's comparable to ROMMON in traditional IOS devices.

System Image:Includes the full NX-OS operating system, services, drivers, and kernel required to run the device.

Global Configuration Mode:After entering privileged EXEC mode (enable), this mode allows changes to system-wide settings such as interfaces, routing protocols, and VLANs.

EXEC Mode:Has two levels—User EXECandPrivileged EXEC. User EXEC provides limited diagnostic commands, while Privileged EXEC allows more extensive system views (show commands, reload, etc.).

Understanding these layers is essential when maintaining or restoring NX-OS devices in field 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.​

After upgrading the firmware on aCisco UCS C-Series serverusing theHost Upgrade Utility (HUU), it is critical toverify the update statusto ensure thatall targeted components(such as BIOS, CIMC, and RAID controller firmware) have beensuccessfully 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.

When configuring a network port for a newly installed IP phone, two critical parameters to ensure optimal performance are:​

VLAN Assignment:Assigning the correct VLANs is essential for segregating voice and data traffic. Typically, a separate voice VLAN is configured to prioritize voice traffic and enhance security.​

Power over Ethernet (PoE):PoE allows the switch to supply power to the IP phone over the same Ethernet cable used for data transmission. This eliminates the need for separate power supplies and simplifies installation.​

While QoS classification (Option E) is important for prioritizing voice traffic, it is typically configured at a broader network level. Link aggregation (Option B) and Spanning Tree Protocol (Option C) are more relevant to network redundancy and loop prevention, respectively, and are not directly critical for the initial configuration of an IP phone port.​