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

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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After disconnecting the network cable from an SFP transceiver, theimmediate next step is to reinstall the dust plugsinto the optical bores. This action prevents contamination from dust or debris that can damage the optical interfaces or degrade performance.

It’s important to protect the exposed optical port before handling the rest of the transceiver module. Dust plugs help maintain the integrity of the component until a new cable or module is connected.

Backing up the configuration of a network device before replacement is a critical step to ensure business continuity and minimize downtime. The primary purpose of this backup is torestore the existing settings onto the new device, ensuring that it operates identically to the one being replaced.​

This process includes preserving interface configurations, routing protocols, access control lists, and other essential parameters. By restoring the backed-up configuration to the new device, network administrators can quickly reintegrate it into the network infrastructure without the need for manual reconfiguration, thereby reducing the risk of errors and service disruptions.​

Options A, B, and C do not align with the primary objective of configuration backups in the context of device replacement.​

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.​

On aCisco Meraki switch, briefly pressing therestore/reset button(typically less than 5 seconds) triggers:

A reboot of the device(Option A)

Clearing of the local management interface settings(Option D), which may include temporary network information such as DHCP leases or local overrides.

To perform a full factory reset (Option B), the button must be held down for a longer duration, usuallymore than 10seconds. Options C and E do not reflect standard reset behavior.

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.

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.

The correct sequence for mounting a Cisco device in a rack is:​

Install mounting brackets: Attach the appropriate rack-mount brackets to the sides of the device using the screws provided. This step prepares the device for secure installation in the rack.​

Mount in rack: Carefully place the device into the rack, aligning the brackets with the rack posts, and secure it using the appropriate rack-mount screws.​

Ground the device: After the device is securely mounted, connect the grounding wire to the chassis grounding point and then to the facility ground. This step ensures safety and compliance with electrical standards.​

This sequence is recommended to ensure both the physical security of the device and the safety of personnel during installation.​

Apre-service checklistis a procedural step followed before replacing an endpoint. Its primary purpose is toconfirm that all resources, tools,documentation, and personnel are in placeto execute the replacement efficiently and without delays.

It helps avoid service interruptions and ensures a smooth replacement by ensuring that every necessary component and action is accounted for ahead of time.

According to theCisco FLDTEC training and product documentation:

Cisco PTZ 4K Camera: Offers high-definition video capture with pan-tilt-zoom features and 4K resolution — ideal for large conference spaces.

Cisco Webex Board Pro: Interactive collaboration device that combines video conferencing, whiteboarding, and wireless content sharing.

Cisco Quad Camera: Features multiple cameras for wide-angle views, speaker tracking, and automatic framing — great for medium to large meeting rooms.

Cisco Room Navigator: A touchscreen device that provides intuitive control for room settings, scheduling, and call management.

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.

When replacing afabric interconnectin a Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), the recommended procedure tominimize traffic disruptionis touse the fabric evacuation procedure on the subordinate fabric interconnect. This ensures that traffic is redirected to the other (active) fabric interconnect, allowing the system to maintain connectivity while one interconnect is replaced.

High availability should remain enabled to preserve redundancy.

Powering down both interconnects would cause a complete outage.

Disconnecting cables without graceful evacuation can result in traffic loss.

Cisco 8000Series routers are primarily designed for service provider and web-scale networks, offering high-performance routing capabilities to handle large-scale, high-bandwidth environments typically found in service provider infrastructures and data centers.

The Cisco 8000 Series routers are part of Cisco’s high-performance routing portfolio. As documented in the official Cisco product and FLDTEC study materials:

Cisco 8000 Series routers are purpose-built for service provider and cloud-scale datacenters.

They are designed to support massive bandwidth, 5G core, and edge routing demands.

These routers provide scalable, high-performance architecture, using Cisco Silicon One ASICs, enabling terabits of throughput with advanced telemetry and network programmability.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Remote branches and retail typically use ISR/ASR 1000/1100 Series.

C. Home or small business networks use Cisco RV Series or Meraki MX Series.

D. LAN access/distribution layers in campuses commonly use Catalyst 9000 Series switches or ISR routers, not high-end core routers.

The 8000 Series is typically found in service provider core, data center interconnect, and hyperscale cloud deployments (e.g., Google, Meta, AWS).

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.

According toFLDTEC documentation and Cisco UCS architecture guides, each of these elements plays a distinct and essential role:

Fabric Interconnects (FI)– Act as the central switching and management point for the UCS domain, connecting servers to LAN and SAN.

Virtual Interface Cards (VICs)– Installed in servers, these adapters supportvirtualization of multiple NICs and HBAs, enabling dynamic profile assignment.

Fabric Extenders (FEXs)– Extend the I/O fabric from the FI to the chassis, reducing complexity and consolidating management.

Servers– Provide the actual compute resources and run workloads. These can bebladeorrack servershoused in the UCS chassis.

This structure is critical to theCisco Unified Fabric approach, which simplifies data center management through integration and automation.

In the context ofWide Area Networks (WANs), the key objective is to connect geographically separated networks using service provider infrastructure. The FLDTEC course emphasizes that WAN environments typically involve devices that can handle different physical transmission mediums and protocols.

Modems:

Modulate and demodulate analog signals to digital signals.

Used in WAN environments to connect over analog lines like DSL or leased lines.

Essential for interfacing between digital routers and analog telephone networks.

Optical Fiber Converters:

Also known asmedia converters, they are used to convert electrical signals to optical signals (and vice versa) for fiber transmission.

Common in WAN scenarios where long-distance high-speed transmission over fiber is required.

Incorrect Options:

A. Hubs: Obsolete Layer 1 devices used in LANs, not suitable for WANs.

D. Network Interface Cards (NICs): Used in end devices for LAN connectivity.

E. Wireless Access Points: Typically used in WLANs within local premises, not WAN infrastructure.

This aligns withCisco’s WAN architecture fundamentalsas highlighted in FLDTEC under “Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware.”

Theinstall allcommand is the standard method used to install or upgrade Cisco NX-OS software on Nexus switches. This command streamlines the installation process by automating tasks such as verifying the software image, checking for compatibility, and managing the installation of optional packages or SMUs (Software Maintenance Upgrades). It ensures a comprehensive and efficient upgrade process, minimizing the potential for errors.​Cisco

In contrast:​

copy tftp: running-configis used to copy configuration files, not software images.

install kickstartis an outdated command from earlier NX-OS versions.

boot systemsets the boot variable but does not handle the full installation process.​

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.

InInstall mode, thepackages.conffile plays a crucial role in the boot process of Cisco IOS XE Software. It specifies the list of software packages to be loaded and the sequence in which they should be initialized during system startup. This file ensures that all necessary components are correctly loaded, providing a modular and flexible approach to software management.​

Contrary to the other options:​

Thepackages.conffile does not extract the bin file; it references already extracted packages.

It does not contain the entire bundled image; that's characteristic of Bundle mode.

While it resides in the flash memory, it is not a subdirectory but a configuration file.​

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.​

NVRAM → Startup configuration

RAM → Running configuration

ROM → Bootstrap code, POST code, ROM monitor

Flash memory → Cisco IOS software, backup configuration

Each memory type in a Cisco device serves a specific function in the boot process and runtime operation. NVRAM retains configuration across reboots, RAM is volatile and holds active configs, ROM handles initial boot tasks, and flash stores the operating system.

This content is covered thoroughly in"Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware"in the FLDTEC curriculum. Here's the breakdown:

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Stores bootstrap code, POST (Power-On Self-Test), and ROM Monitor.

These are essential for the device’s initial power-on operations and recovery modes.

NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM)

Holds thestartup configuration file, which is loaded during the boot process.

Content remains intact after a reboot or power cycle.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Stores therunning configurationand current operational state of the router or switch.

Also used for routing tables, ARPcache, and packet buffers.

Data is lost when the device is powered off or rebooted.

Flash Memory

Contains theCisco IOS image, system files, and can storebackup configurations.

It is a non-volatile storage, so it retains data after reboots.

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.

In ablade server environment, thechassisserves as the enclosure thathouses multiple blade servers. It provides shared power, cooling, and connectivity resources. Blade servers are compact server modules that insert into the chassis, and the shared infrastructure makes the entire system efficient in space, power, and management.

The chassis does not act as a switch or storage array itself but provides interconnects and sometimes integrated networking components.

Component to configure→ interface

Interface type→ FastEthernet

Port→ 1

Slot→ 0

This command structure is part of theDevice Configuration and Verificationsection in the FLDTEC course. It teaches how to navigate and configure interfaces on Ciscodevices using the IOS CLI:

interface is the global configuration mode command to begin configuring a network interface.

FastEthernet specifies thetype of interface(could also be GigabitEthernet, Serial, etc.).

0/1 represents theslot/portstructure used on Cisco devices:

The first digit (before the slash) is theslot number.

The second digit (after the slash) is theport numberwithin that slot.

This structure allows Cisco to modularly address interfaces, especially in devices with multiple slots or module-based configurations.

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.

When connectingtwo devices of the same type(e.g., two routers, two switches, or two DTEs), acrossover cableis required. This cable swaps the transmit and receive pairs to allow direct communication between devices without the need for an intermediate device like a switch.

Straight-through cablesare used to connect different types of devices (e.g., PC to switch).

Rolled cablesare used for console access.

USB Type A to Bcables are typically used for peripheral device connections, not networking.

The commandcopy tftp: running-configis used to retrieve a configuration file from a TFTP server and merge it with the current running configuration of a Cisco device. Thisoperation is additive, meaning it integrates the new configuration commands into the existing running configuration without removing any pre-existing commands unless explicitly overridden.​

This method is particularly useful when restoring configurations to a replacement device, as it allows for the seamless integration of necessary settings without disrupting the current operational state.​

In contrast, usingcopy tftp: startup-configwould overwrite the startup configuration file, which could lead to unintended consequences upon the next device reload. The optionsload tftp: running-configandmerge tftp: running-configare not valid Cisco IOS commands.​