An MX7000 administrator has been tasked to create a Scalable Fabric Architecture on a 3 chassis setup using Fabric B. Which IOM configuration is recommended?

Question

Options

• AChassis 1 ?Slot B1: MX9116n; Slot B2: MX9116nChassis 2 ?Slot B1: MX5108n; Slot B2:
• BChassis 1 ?Slot B1: MX7116n; Slot B2: MX7116nChassis 2 ?Slot B1: MX7116n; Slot B2:
• CChassis 1 ?Slot B1: MX9116n; Slot B2: MX7116nChassis 2 ?Slot B1: MX7116n; Slot B2:
• DChassis 1 ?Slot B1: MX9116n; Slot B2: MX5108nChassis 2 ?Slot B1: MX5108n; Slot B2:

• A
  45% (24)
• B
  9% (5)
• C
  30% (16)
• D
  15% (8)

Explanation

Option A is correct because a Scalable Fabric Architecture (SFA) requires the MX9116n Fabric Engine switches in both slots of the primary (Chassis 1) to act as the spine, while MX5108n switches in the remaining chassis serve as leaves - this spine-leaf hierarchy is the foundation of SFA across multiple chassis. Option B is wrong because the MX7116n is a pass-through module, not a switching module, and provides no switching intelligence required for SFA. Option C is invalid because mixing MX9116n and MX7116n in Chassis 1 breaks symmetry and introduces a pass-through where an active Fabric Engine is required. Option D fails because pairing MX9116n with MX5108n in Chassis 1 means the spine slots are mismatched - both primary slots must use MX9116n for consistent fabric control.

Memory tip: Think "9-9 up top, 5-5 below" - the MX9116n (higher model = more power) is the spine in Chassis 1 (both slots), and the MX5108n fans out as the leaves in satellite chassis. If you see MX7116n anywhere in an SFA answer, eliminate it immediately.

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