500-560 Cisco Networking: On-Premise and Cloud Solutions Questions and Answers

Cisco Meraki's architecture uses an out-of-band control plane. If a device loses connection to the Meraki Cloud, client data traffic continues to flow locally and normally, while management and monitoring features are paused until connectivity is restored. This behavior is explicitly confirmed by Cisco documentation stating that during cloud disconnect, user traffic is unaffected and only configuration/monitoring stops.

The Cisco Meraki MS switch platform supports Multigigabit Ethernet (mGig) on select models. This next-generation feature allows network uplinks and access ports to operate above standard 1 Gbps speeds—supporting 2.5, 5, or even 10 Gbps—over existing cabling infrastructure. It enables higher performance for Wi-Fi 6/6E access points and bandwidth-intensive devices. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Cisco DNA Center is Cisco's centralized platform for enterprise network management, acting as the core controller for automation, policy, analytics, and assurance. It is designed to manage enterprise switching, routing, and wireless infrastructure. DNA Center provides AI-driven insights and controls the entire network fabric, making it the foundational controller and analytics engine. Therefore, option C is correct.

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In the Cisco Meraki Dashboard, an “Organization” is the top-level construct and administrative boundary that encompasses licensing, inventory, user roles, and device configuration across all networks within that entity. It is not tied to network size or topology but functions as the central management structure for all associated resources. Therefore, option C correctly defines an Organization within Meraki’s context.

Corporate real estate is widely recognized as the second-largest operating expense after employee compensation for most enterprises. This includes the cost of office space, utilities, maintenance, and facility operations. Cisco highlights this in various solution briefs tied to location-based services and space optimization technologies, such as Cisco DNA Spaces. Thus, the correct answer is C.

Cisco Mobility Express offers a virtual controller embedded in supported Aironet access points. Deployment is highly streamlined—typically completed in under 10 minutes using a simple 3-step over-the-air wizard, eliminating the need for a dedicated controller appliance. This matches option B exactly.

Cisco DNA Spaces delivers business value through three core pillars: "See, Act, and Extend." These represent its capability to provide visibility into location-based data ("See"), the ability to act on those insights with automated triggers or engagement tools ("Act"), and an open ecosystem with APIs and partner integrations ("Extend"). This model enables smarter space management and contextual digital engagement, making D the correct answer.

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The Aironet 2800 Series is part of the Wave 2 portfolio, and Cisco has positioned the Catalyst 9120 Series as the next-generation successor. The Catalyst 9120 Series supports Wi-Fi 6, enhanced security, and advanced analytics features, making it the natural evolution for mid-market customers transitioning from older Aironet models. Therefore, option C is the accurate answer.

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The Cisco ISR 900 Series with the default IP Base package includes essential services for branch connectivity. These consist of support for dynamic and static routing protocols (like OSPF and EIGRP), quality of service (QoS) features for traffic prioritization, and basic Layer 3 connectivity. VPN and Zone Based Firewall are part of the Security license package and not included by default in IP Base. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

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A key indicator of the increasing sophistication in cybersecurity threats is that 65% of attacks are able to evade existing security tools. This statistic reflects how attackers are leveraging advanced techniques to bypass conventional defenses, emphasizing the need for more integrated and intelligent security solutions. Thus, option A best represents the escalating complexity in the threat landscape.

When a Cisco Meraki organization's license expires, the Meraki Dashboard enters a 30-day grace period. During this time, network services continue functioning normally, and the organization is expected to renew its license. If no action is taken by the end of the grace period, device functionality and Dashboard access will be interrupted. This grace period allows continued operations while addressing the licensing issue, making D the correct answer.

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Theon-box web interface for configurationis a key feature of the Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series Switches, enabling rapid deployment in small branch or office environments. According to Cisco’s official documentation, the 2960-L series is equipped with an intuitive, built-in web-based GUI (also referred to as the “Cisco Configuration Professional for Catalyst” or “web UI”) that allows users to perform basic setup and management without the need for CLI expertise or external management platforms.

From the Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series Switches Data Sheet:

“An on-box web interface helps customers configure and manage their network quickly and easily, allowing them to get a small branch or office network up and running in minutes. This browser-based device manager reduces the need for CLI skills and speeds time to deployment.”

(Source: Cisco Catalyst 2960-L Series Switches Data Sheet)

Other options, such as full CLI support, do exist, but the question specifically refers to enabling rapid, simplified deployment—which is exactly the use case for the on-box web interface. Stackwise-160 is not available on 2960-L, and support for Cisco DNA Center is limited on this series.