vCenter VMM Integration Management Network for ACI
Short answer
A Use an in-band management network to integrate vCenter with ACI when it is connected to ACI leaf switches.
Question
Key Takeaways
The question tests VMM integration requirements for vCenter in ACI, where the common trap is assuming out-of-band management is used for vCenter connectivity.
When integrating VMware vCenter with a Cisco ACI fabric for VMM, the APIC must use an in-band management network to establish connectivity. This page confirms that in-band management is the required network type when vCenter is connected to ACI leaf switches.
Common mistake: Choosing out-of-band management (C) because vCenter is a management server, ignoring that it is connected to ACI leaf switches and must be reached via the in-band management network.
Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
To integrate VMware vCenter with the Cisco ACI fabric using a Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) domain profile, the APIC must be able to communicate with the vCenter server. Since the vCenter is connected to the ACI leaf switches, the APIC reaches it through the fabric's in-band management network. The Cisco ACI Virtualization guide explicitly states that you must establish connectivity to the external network using an in-band management network on the APIC before creating a VMM domain profile.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Out-of-band management (C) is used for accessing devices like APICs and switches via a dedicated management network, not for reaching vCenter servers connected to leaf switches. APIC infra (B) and VLAN infra (D) are not valid management network types used for establishing the required VMM connectivity to vCenter in this context. These options misrepresent the specific network path required for external orchestration integration.
Community Comment Notes
Community members correctly identified the in-band management requirement, as Fcpoultry noted by quoting "using in-band management network on the APIC". Another user, lurker8000, incorrectly assumed APIC infra (B) is used, confusing the APIC's internal infrastructure network with the in-band management network needed for external VMM connectivity. This highlights a common misunderstanding between internal APIC communication and external controller integration.
Official Reference
This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.
Exam Strategy
For ACI VMM integration questions, remember that any external controller or server (like vCenter) connected to ACI leaf switches is reached by the APIC via the in-band management network, not out-of-band. Always verify where the external entity is physically or logically connected to determine the correct management path.
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Discussion 2 contributions
Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.
From public community threads 2
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lurker8000 👍 1I'll go with B, APIC Infra. APIC Infra Network: The Cisco Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) provides centralized management for the ACI fabric. The APIC uses an infrastructure network to manage and communicate with various ACI components, including the VMware vCenter, which is integrated with the ACI fabric. The APIC infra network is dedicated to management and control plane communications within the ACI fabric, ensuring that ACI and VMware vCenter can exchange information such as policies, network configurations, and virtual machine (VM) management tasks.
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missionflamingo 👍 1 Answered ABefore you create a VMM domain profile, you must establish connectivity to external network using in-band management network on the APIC. https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/m/en_us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/aci-virtualization-guide-chapter.pdf
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