CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Test 4 — 15 Questions

Question 1

Match each automation-related data term to the most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

Ansible. The question is incomplete and internally contradictory. It asks to match 'automation-related data term' but lists automation tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef, SaltStack) without any descriptions to match. The explanation describes each tool, but those descriptions are not part of the question. The marked answer 'Ansible' is only correct for the description in the explanation, not for the stem as written.

Answer

Puppet

Answer

Chef

Answer

SaltStack

Question 2

Match each basic JSON element to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

String: A sequence of Unicode characters enclosed in double quotes.. This question tests understanding of basic JSON elements. Option A is correct because a JSON string is precisely a sequence of Unicode characters enclosed in double quotes. Option B is also correct because JSON numbers can be integers or floating-point numbers and may include an optional exponent (e.g., 1e10), which is commonly referred to as scientific notation. Option C is incorrect because a JSON Boolean is strictly true or false; null is a separate type and not a Boolean value. Option D is incorrect because a JSON object is enclosed in curly braces, not square brackets; square brackets denote JSON arrays.

Answer

Boolean: A logical value represented as true, false, or null.

Answer

Object: An unordered collection of key-value pairs enclosed in square brackets.

Question 3

Match each automation concept to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

Idempotency: Running the same operation multiple times yields the same result. Each option correctly matches an automation concept with its accurate description. Idempotency ensures that running the same operation multiple times yields the same result. Declarative configuration means the desired state is defined, and the system makes it happen without specifying steps. Infrastructure as Code involves managing infrastructure using version-controlled files. Orchestration coordinates multiple automated tasks into a workflow. All four pairings are correct.

Question 4

Match each API security or access term to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

API key: A unique identifier used to authenticate a client making API requests, often passed in the request header.. Each option correctly pairs an API security or access term with its accurate definition. Option A: API key is a unique identifier for authentication. Option B: OAuth is a protocol for delegated authorization without sharing credentials. Option C: JWT is a compact, signed token for secure information transmission. Option D: Basic authentication uses base64-encoded credentials. All pairings are correct.

Question 5

Match each structured-data term to its most accurate meaning.

Accepted Answer

JSON: A lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate.. All terms (JSON, XML, YAML, CSV) are correctly paired with their standard definitions. Each description accurately reflects the characteristics of the respective structured-data format.

Answer

XML: A markup language that defines a set of rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.

Answer

YAML: A human-readable data serialization language that is often used for configuration files and in applications where data is being stored or transmitted.

Answer

CSV: A simple file format used to store tabular data, such as a spreadsheet or database, where each line represents a data record and each record consists of one or more fields separated by commas.

Question 6

Match each API interaction term to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

REST: An architectural style for designing networked applications, using stateless communication and standard HTTP methods.. Ly defines REST (Representational State Transfer) as an architectural style for designing networked applications that uses stateless communication and standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE). Option B describes SOAP, which is a protocol that relies on XML and has built-in error handling. Option C describes JSON, a lightweight data format often used in APIs. Option D describes a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), which is an identifier for a resource. Therefore, only option A accurately matches the term 'REST'.

Answer

REST: A protocol for exchanging structured information in web services, using XML and built-in error handling.

Answer

REST: A data format used to represent objects in API responses, often used with JavaScript.

Answer

REST: A unique identifier for a specific resource on a web server, such as a URL or URN.

Question 7

Match each HTTP method to the action it most commonly represents in a REST-style API.

Accepted Answer

GET: Retrieve a resource. The correct mapping is: GET -> Retrieve, POST -> Create, PUT -> Update, DELETE -> Delete. Option A is correct. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they assign wrong actions to POST, PUT, and DELETE. The explanation should state this rather than claiming every pairing is correct.

Answer

POST: Update a resource

Answer

PUT: Delete a resource

Answer

DELETE: Create a resource

Question 8

Which statement accurately describes a JSON object?

Accepted Answer

Object: a collection of key/value pairs. JSON terms: Object is a collection of key/value pairs; Array is an ordered list; Key is the name; Value is the data; String is text in quotes; Boolean is true/false.

Answer

Object: an ordered list of values

Answer

Object: a single text value enclosed in double quotes

Answer

Object: a true/false value

Question 9

Why would an orchestration platform prefer a northbound API over screen-scraping CLI output?

Accepted Answer

Because the northbound API provides a defined and structured interface intended for software interaction.. A northbound API is preferred because it is designed for software consumption. In practical terms, it provides a defined, structured, predictable interface that tools can interact with directly. Screen-scraping CLI output is much more fragile because CLI displays are primarily intended for human reading, not consistent machine parsing.

This is a practical architecture question. The API is the clean software interface. The CLI is useful for humans, but not usually the best primary interface for orchestration.

Answer

Because APIs use encryption by default while CLI sessions are unencrypted.

Answer

Because northbound APIs are designed for network-wide automation whereas screen-scraping only works on a single device.

Answer

Because CLI commands are more error-prone due to human typing mistakes.

Question 10

Match each programmability term to its most accurate meaning.

Accepted Answer

Northbound API: Interface between SDN controller and applications. In SDN architecture, a Northbound API provides an interface between the SDN controller and applications, enabling applications to request network services. A Southbound API is the interface between the SDN controller and network devices, used to configure and control the devices. OpenFlow is a protocol that specifically handles communication between the controller and switches, primarily for flow control in the forwarding plane. NETCONF is a network configuration protocol that uses XML-based data encoding for managing device configurations, not for forwarding plane control. Therefore, the correct matches are: Northbound API with 'Interface between SDN controller and applications', Southbound API with 'Interface between SDN controller and network devices', OpenFlow with 'Protocol for communication between SDN controller and switches', and NETCONF with 'Network configuration protocol using XML-based data encoding'.

Answer

Southbound API: Interface between SDN controller and network devices

Answer

OpenFlow: Protocol for configuration management of network devices

Answer

NETCONF: Protocol for forwarding plane control in SDN

Question 11

Match each automation or API term to its most accurate role.

Accepted Answer

REST: Architectural style for designing networked applications using HTTP. REST is an architectural style that uses HTTP for communication between systems. An API is a set of protocols and tools for building software. JSON is a lightweight data interchange format commonly used in API payloads. SOAP is a protocol that uses XML for structured information exchange. These pairings correctly associate each term with its primary role.

Question 12

Which basic controller or API term uses HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on network devices?

Accepted Answer

REST API: Uses HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on network devices. REST API uses HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations on network devices. The other options accurately define different terms (controller, northbound interface, JSON) but do not match the description in the question.

Question 13

Match each term to the most appropriate description in an API context.

Accepted Answer

Endpoint: The URL where an API can be accessed. Each term is correctly paired with its most appropriate description in an API context. The endpoint is the URL, HTTP methods define the action, request bodies carry data for modifications, and status codes indicate the result of the request.

Question 14

Match each term to the role it most directly plays in an API workflow.

Accepted Answer

API Gateway: Manages and routes API requests. Each term is correctly paired with its role in an API workflow. The API Gateway manages and routes API requests, the Authentication Token verifies the identity of the API consumer, the Endpoint is the URL where the API can be accessed, and the Payload is the data sent in the body of an API request. All options are correct.

Question 15

Match each term to the best description.

Accepted Answer

Northbound API: Interface between SDN controller and applications. Both Northbound and Southbound APIs are correctly defined: Northbound API is the interface between the SDN controller and applications, while Southbound API is the interface between the SDN controller and network devices. Options C and D are incorrect because eastbound/westbound are not standard terms for these roles.

Answer

Eastbound API: Interface between SDN controller and network devices

Answer

Westbound API: Interface between SDN controller and applications