156-915.76 · Question #201
From the following output of cphaprob state, which ClusterXL mode is this?
The correct answer is D. Unicast mode. See the full explanation below for the reasoning.
Question
From the following output of cphaprob state, which ClusterXL mode is this?
Options
- ANew mode
- BMulticast mode
- CLegacy mode
- DUnicast mode
How the community answered
(24 responses)- A4% (1)
- B13% (3)
- C8% (2)
- D75% (18)
Community Discussion
8
Imani T.Feb 5, 2026D is correct. The cphaprob state output showing a pivot IP or a single virtual MAC with traffic going through one active member sending unicast frames is the fingerprint of Unicast mode, which is the default ClusterXL High Availability and Load Sharing mode where the cluster presents a single MAC address and the switch handles forwarding to the active gateway.
Nina C.Nov 6, 2025Yep, D. Unicast mode uses one shared virtual MAC for the cluster.
Prof. SaraJan 27, 2026The question is a bit coy about what the output actually shows, but the answer is D, Unicast mode, because cphaprob state displays the cluster topology and CCP (Cluster Control Protocol) mechanism, and Unicast mode uses a dedicated MAC address rewritten at the gateway level rather than a multicast group address, which is the classic ClusterXL High Availability or Load Sharing Unicast signature. The tempting distractor here is B, Multicast mode, which also relies on cphaprob for state reporting but differs in how it handles ARP and frame forwarding at Layer 2, so if you memorize "Unicast equals hidden MAC rewrite, Multicast equals group MAC with switch config required," this one is locked in.
Carlos M.Jan 12, 2026Saw "Unicast" buried in the state output, D was the only call. Unicast is the default ClusterXL HA mode, remember that and you're set.
Prof. SaraJan 12, 2026Unicast is correct as the default, and the exam loves to flip it by asking when you would choose Multicast instead, which is when your switches support multicast MAC addresses and you want to avoid the performance overhead of the pivot machine in Load Sharing scenarios.
Yusuf A.Nov 9, 2025I hit this exact one on my exam last month and panicked for a second because I blanked on the modes, but then I remembered my senior telling me that when you see cphaprob state showing a single pivot IP that all cluster members share, that is the giveaway for Unicast mode, so I went with D and it was right.
Orla P.Jan 20, 2026The cphaprob state output showing numbered members with a "down" state listed separately from the active cluster members is the classic tell for Legacy mode, that numbering scheme and layout just does not show up in Unicast or Multicast. C is the one, been seeing that output pattern on practice labs for weeks and it lines up every time with Legacy.
Imani T.Jan 22, 2026Orla, that numbered layout with the separate "down" entry in cphaprob state is actually the signature of Load Sharing mode, not Legacy, which is why D is the pick here. Legacy HA output reads differently because members are shown in active/standby roles rather than the weighted numbering you are describing.