Cisco 800-150 - Supporting Cisco Devices for Field Technicians (FLDTEC)

ANetwork Interface Card (NIC)is essential for device connectivity. Two common symptoms indicating that a NIC may be faulty and require replacement are:

Connectivity problems (Option A):Devices may fail to communicate with the network, showing no IP address assignment or inability to ping/connect to other devices.

Consistent link down status (Option D):The link LED may stay off or frequently go down, even when connected to a functioning switch port with a known-good cable.

Other options like configuration issues (Option B) or system crashes (Option E) might be due to software or unrelated hardware components, and boot failures (Option C) typically point to motherboard or storage faults.

Theideal resistance rangefor ESD wrist straps isbetween 1 and 10 megaohms. This range is sufficient to safely discharge static electricity from the technician to ground, while not allowing an abrupt discharge that could damage sensitive electronic components.

Values below 1 megaohm may result in a rapid discharge, risking damage.

Valuesabove 10 megaohms may not discharge static efficiently enough.

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.

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.​

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.

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.​

The highlighted component on the Cisco I/O module is the chassisconnections LED, which indicates the status of connectivity between the I/O module and the chassis.

In the exhibit, the orange arrow points to asmall rectangular LED indicatorlocated to the left side of the I/O module (Cisco UCS-IOM-2304). This specific LED isnot aligned with the ports, fans, or screws, which helps identify it correctly.

Chassis connections LED (B)is responsible for indicating thestatus of uplink/downlink communicationbetween the I/O module and the chassis.

Greenusually indicates a healthy link.

Amberoroffmay indicate a problem or no connection.

Why the other answers are incorrect:

A. Captive screw→ These are at the far corners, not where the arrow points.

C. Fan module LED→ This IOM doesn’t have user-visible fan LEDs atthe front face.

D. Fixed port→ These are the large rectangular SFP ports clearly visible in the middle, not near the arrow.

This identification is important whentroubleshooting chassis-to-IOM connectivityor verifyingmodule status LEDsduring field maintenance.

In theFLDTEC 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 inUCS deployments, virtualization troubleshooting, and remote infrastructure diagnostics.

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.

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.