A Cisco MDS Series Switch with the POAP feature boots and does not find the startup configuration. Which location is checked first when the switch enters POAP mode?

When a Cisco MDS Series Switch boots without a startup configuration, it enters PowerOn Auto Provisioning (POAP) mode. The very first action in the POAP sequence is to check for the presence of a USB device. If a USB device is found, the switch searches for specific POAP script, configuration, and system image files. This allows for offline provisioning. Only if a valid USB device with the required files is not detected does the switch proceed to the next step, which is sending DHCP discovery messages on its management interface (mgmt0) to obtain network parameters.

B. The switch attempts to contact a DHCP server only after it fails to find a valid provisioning configuration on a connected USB device.
C. Contacting a TFTP server requires network connectivity and the server's IP address, which are typically obtained via DHCP after the initial USB check fails.
D. Similar to TFTP, contacting an HTTP server is a later step in the process that requires network configuration, which is not available at the initial stage.

1. Cisco MDS 9000 Series Fundamentals Configuration Guide, Release 9.x, Chapter: "Configuring PowerOn Auto Provisioning", Section: "POAP Startup".

The document states: "When the switch boots in POAP mode, it first checks for the presence of a USB device. If a USB device is found, the switch searches for a POAP script file... If a USB device is not found, the switch sends out DHCP discover messages on the mgmt0 interface."

2. Cisco MDS 9000 Series NX-OS Fundamentals Guide, Release 6.2(x), Chapter: "Initial Switch Configuration", Section: "Using PowerOn Auto Provisioning".

This guide confirms the sequence: "Before the switch sends out a DHCP request on the mgmt 0 interface, it will check for the presence of a USB device. If a USB device is found, the switch will search for a POAP script file... in the USB device."