Cisco Iot Essentials for System Engineers Free Sample Questions

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700-821 Sample Questions

  1. Question 1

    Q1

    A manufacturing plant is deploying a Resilient Ethernet Protocol (REP) ring with 12 Cisco IE 3400 switches to connect critical PLCs. During testing, an engineer observes that when the primary link fails, the network takes longer than expected to converge. Upon inspection, they find all switches are configured as standard REP ports. Which REP segment role must be configured on at least one port in the segment to ensure rapid convergence by blocking a redundant path under normal conditions?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B

    In a REP segment, one port must be configured with the 'Alternate' role. This port is responsible for blocking traffic on its link to prevent a loop during normal operation. When a link failure is detected elsewhere in the segment, the Alternate port unblocks to restore connectivity. Without an Alternate port, the segment cannot form a stable, loop-free topology, leading to convergence issues.

  2. Question 2

    Q2

    An oil refinery uses a Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) network for zero-failover-time communication with its critical control systems. A network administrator receives an alert that a SAN (Single Attached Node) device has lost connectivity. The device is connected to a RedBox (Redundancy Box). Which of the following is the most likely cause of the failure, assuming the RedBox itself has not failed?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C

    PRP provides redundancy by duplicating packets across two independent networks (LAN_A and LAN_B). A failure in either LAN_A or LAN_B would not cause a connectivity loss for a DAN (Dual Attached Node) or a SAN connected via a RedBox, as the traffic would still be received on the other network. The RedBox's purpose is to provide this dual-attachment for a single-homed device. Therefore, if the SAN loses connectivity, the single point of failure is the physical link between the SAN itself and its RedBox.

  3. Question 3

    Q3Multiple answers

    An engineer is designing a network segment using a Cisco IE 3300 switch to power several devices. The requirements are to power two PTZ cameras requiring 45W each and three fixed IP cameras requiring 15W each. Which two statements about the power budget and supply are correct? (Select TWO).

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answers: B, D

    Devices requiring 45W exceed the 30W maximum of PoE+ (802.3at) and require Cisco UPoE or 802.3bt Type 3, which can supply up to 60W per port.

    The total power budget is calculated as (2 * 45W) + (3 * 15W) = 90W + 45W = 135W.

  4. Question 4

    Q4

    A network designer is selecting a Cisco Industrial Ethernet switch for a distribution cabinet in a manufacturing facility. The key requirement is support for Layer 3 routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP, along with high-density Gigabit Ethernet ports. Which switch family is the most appropriate choice?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The Cisco IE 4000 Series is designed as an aggregation layer switch for industrial environments. It provides high-density Gigabit Ethernet ports and supports advanced Layer 3 routing protocols such as OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, making it ideal for this requirement. The IE 2000 is primarily a Layer 2 access switch, and while the IE 5000 is also a Layer 3 switch, the IE 4000 is the most common fit for high-density aggregation.

  5. Question 5

    Q5

    A large utility company has deployed over 200 Cisco IE switches across multiple substations. The operations team needs a centralized platform to visualize the network topology, manage configurations, and perform software updates efficiently. Which Cisco management tool is specifically designed for large-scale industrial network deployments?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Cisco Industrial Network Director (IND) is a network management system built specifically for industrial automation environments. It is designed to help operations teams gain full visibility of network devices and ease deployment and management tasks in large-scale industrial networks. While Prime Infrastructure can manage switches, IND is tailored for the OT environment and protocols.

  6. Question 6

    Q6

    True or False: The Device Level Ring (DLR) protocol is a Cisco-proprietary protocol designed for high-speed convergence in industrial ring topologies.

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B

    This statement is false. The Device Level Ring (DLR) protocol is an open standard managed by the ODVA (Open DeviceNet Vendor Association) and is part of the EtherNet/IP specification. It is not Cisco-proprietary, although Cisco IE switches support it to ensure interoperability in automation and control networks.

  7. Question 7

    Q7

    A company is automating its port-side container handling with autonomous cranes that generate significant shock and vibration. A ruggedized network switch is required inside each crane's control cabinet. Which Cisco IE switch series is specifically designed and certified to withstand these harsh shock and vibration conditions?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The Cisco IE 5000 series switches are built to exceed the specifications of most industrial switches and are certified for harsh environments, including high shock and vibration. They are often used in demanding applications like rail, military, and heavy industry, making them the ideal choice for installation in a crane's control cabinet.

  8. Question 8

    Q8

    A food processing company is upgrading its factory floor network. The current network is flat, unmanaged, and experiences frequent broadcast storms that cause production halts.

    The new design must meet several key requirements. First, the network must be highly resilient to link failures, with a recovery time of less than 20 milliseconds. Second, traffic from the control network (PLCs, VFDs) must be strictly isolated from the data collection network (sensors, IP cameras). Third, the solution must support Power over Ethernet (PoE+) to power new IP cameras and access points. Finally, the chosen switches must be DIN-rail mountable and tolerate operating temperatures up to 60°C.

    Which solution best meets all the company's requirements?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B

    This solution meets all requirements. The Cisco IE 3300 series supports REP for fast convergence (<50ms, often much faster), which satisfies the resiliency requirement. VLANs provide robust traffic isolation at Layer 2. The IE 3300 models offer PoE+ ports, are DIN-rail mountable, and have an operating temperature range that meets the 60°C requirement. This is a comprehensive and appropriate industrial networking solution.

  9. Question 9

    Q9

    A technician connects a new PoE-enabled IP camera to a Cisco IE 3300 switch, but the camera fails to power on. The switch port is administratively up, and the cable is tested and known to be good. The technician checks the switch logs and sees a 'PD Disconnected' message for that port. What is the most likely cause of this issue?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B

    When a switch denies power to a new Powered Device (PD), the most common reason is that the switch's total available PoE budget has been exceeded by the existing devices. The switch will not power a new device if doing so would surpass its power supply's capacity. The 'PD Disconnected' message can indicate the switch detected the device but could not allocate power.

  10. Question 10

    Q10

    What is the primary function of the swappable SD card on a Cisco Industrial Ethernet switch like the IE 3400?

    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C

    The main purpose of the SD card on Cisco IE switches is to store the device's configuration file. This allows for rapid, zero-touch replacement. If a switch fails, an operator can simply move the SD card from the failed unit to a new, identical unit. The new switch will boot up with the stored configuration, minimizing downtime.

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