CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Test 6 — 15 Questions

Question 1

Match each basic JSON element to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

String: A sequence of Unicode characters enclosed in double quotes.. The four terms are fundamental structural elements of JSON, not separate data types. JSON's six data types are object, array, string, number, boolean, and null. The pairings accurately describe each element: an Object is a group of key-value pairs, an Array is an ordered list of items, a Key is a field name (always a string), and a Value is the content associated with a field (any valid JSON type).

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Number: A numeric value that can be an integer or floating-point, optionally with scientific notation.

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

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

Question 2

Match each automation concept to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

Idempotency: Running the same operation multiple times yields the same result. Controller provides centralized management and policy enforcement across network devices. API (Application Programming Interface) defines a standardized software interface for communication between systems. REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style that commonly uses HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, human-readable data format used for data interchange. Each pairing correctly matches the concept to its core characteristic.

Question 3

Which two statements accurately describe controller-based networking at the CCNA level?

Accepted Answer

A controller can centralize management and policy logic.. Option A is correct because a software-defined networking (SDN) controller centralizes management, policy logic, and network intelligence, reducing manual per-device configuration. Option B is correct because northbound APIs (e.g., REST APIs) allow external applications, orchestration tools, and automation scripts to interact with the controller for dynamic network control. Option C is wrong because controllers do not eliminate switches and routers; these devices still forward packets based on instructions from the controller. Option D is wrong because controllers are fundamental to network automation—they provide programmable interfaces and centralized logic that enable automated provisioning and policy enforcement. Option E is wrong because modern controllers use secure communication channels such as HTTPS, SSH, or TLS, not Telnet (which is insecure and rarely used in controller architectures).

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Controllers eliminate all need for switches and routers.

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Controllers are unrelated to automation.

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Controllers require Telnet for all communication.

Question 4

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

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API key: A unique identifier used to authenticate a client making API requests, often passed in the request header.. These terms are common in API security and access control. Each pairing matches the term with its standard definition in IT certification contexts.

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OAuth: A protocol that allows a user to grant limited access to their resources on one site to another site, without sharing credentials.

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JWT: A compact, URL-safe token that contains claims and is digitally signed, used for securely transmitting information between parties.

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Basic authentication: A method where the client sends a username and password encoded in Base64 in the HTTP header.

Question 5

Which two statements accurately describe JSON arrays?

Accepted Answer

A JSON array is an ordered list of items.. JSON arrays are ordered lists enclosed in square brackets. In plain language, they are commonly used when an API needs to return multiple similar items such as interfaces, VLANs, or routes. Each element in the array might be a simple value or a more complex object. Arrays are therefore a normal structure for lists in automation and API payloads.

The wrong answers usually confuse arrays with objects or claim properties they do not have. The two correct answers are the ones that preserve the ideas of list structure and square-bracket notation.

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A JSON array is the same thing as an OSPF area.

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A JSON array must always contain exactly one item.

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A JSON array replaces the need for all keys in structured data.

Question 6

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.. The terms are matched with their accurate descriptions in the context of structured data formats.

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

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

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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 7

Match each REST or API concept to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

REST: Architectural style using stateless operations and standard HTTP methods. GET is an HTTP method designed specifically for retrieving data from a server without side effects, making it idempotent and safe. POST is used to submit data to create or update resources, as it can change server state and is not idempotent. A token is a credential-like value (e.g., API key or JWT) that authenticates and authorizes API requests, controlling access to endpoints. JSON is a lightweight, human-readable structured data format commonly used in API request/response payloads for data interchange. These concepts are distinct: GET and POST cannot be swapped because they have different HTTP semantics; a token is not a data format like JSON; and JSON is not an access control mechanism. Matching them incorrectly would violate RESTful principles.

Question 8

Why is a northbound API especially useful in a controller-based network architecture?

Accepted Answer

It allows external software to interact programmatically with the controller.. A northbound API is especially useful because it gives external applications and automation tools a defined way to communicate with the controller. In plain language, it allows software above the controller to request information, apply policies, or trigger changes without manual per-device interaction. That is one of the main reasons controller-based networking fits well with orchestration and automation. Option C is incorrect because a northbound API does not replace authentication and authorization; it is an interface that uses existing security mechanisms. Option D is incorrect because VLAN tagging is a data‑plane function unaffected by the northbound API; the API does not eliminate the need for VLANs. The controller is the centralized system, and the northbound API is the software-facing interface that exposes it. The correct answer is the one centered on application integration rather than on physical connectivity or device forwarding.

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It is the cable standard used to connect access points.

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It replaces all need for authentication and authorization.

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It makes VLAN tagging unnecessary.

Question 9

Match each common automation term to its most accurate meaning.

Accepted Answer

Infrastructure as Code: Managing infrastructure through machine-readable definition files. A controller provides centralized management or policy enforcement, abstracting device-level configuration. An API defines a structured software interface for programmatic interaction, not the underlying transport. JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format favored for its readability and ease of parsing by automation tools. HTTPS is the secure transport layer that carries API calls, ensuring encrypted communication. Together, these terms form the foundation of network automation architectures, where a controller exposes APIs over HTTPS and exchanges JSON-formatted data.

Question 10

Match each automation transport or interaction term to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

RESTCONF: A stateless, HTTP-based protocol that uses RESTful APIs and supports both XML and JSON data encoding.. These are common automation transport or interaction patterns. Each pairing correctly describes the term as used in system integration and API design.

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NETCONF: A stateful, RPC-based protocol that uses XML encoding and operates over SSH or TLS.

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gRPC: A stateless, HTTP/2-based protocol that uses Protocol Buffers for data serialization.

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SSH: A stateless, secure shell protocol used for remote CLI access and file transfers.

Question 11

Why might an automation script prefer a token-based API session over repeatedly prompting a human operator for credentials?

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Because tokens support controlled repeated API access in a way that is practical for automation workflows.. Token-based API sessions allow scripts to make repeated, programmatic requests without requiring a human to re-enter credentials each time. This makes them more practical for automation workflows than constant interactive prompts. Options B, C, and D are incorrect: tokens do not eliminate the need for security controls (they still require proper management like expiration and revocation); they have nothing to do with VLAN creation; and they do not replace routing protocols—tokens are strictly used for authentication and authorization in API interactions.

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Because tokens eliminate the need for any security controls.

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Because tokens automatically create VLANs on the switch.

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Because tokens replace all routing protocols.

Question 12

Which two statements accurately describe APIs in controller-based networking?

Accepted Answer

They provide a defined interface through which software can communicate with the controller.. APIs are important in controller-based networking because they give external software a defined way to request data or trigger changes on the controller. In plain language, they make the controller accessible to automation tools, dashboards, orchestration systems, and custom scripts. This helps integrate the controller into broader workflows. APIs do not eliminate the need for security controls, but they do make software-driven operations possible.

The wrong answers usually confuse APIs with physical interfaces or claim that they remove the need for authentication. The two correct answers are the ones focused on programmatic access and software integration.

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They replace all need for forwarding devices.

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They remove the need for authentication and authorization.

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They are Ethernet cabling standards.

Question 13

Why is HTTPS usually preferred over HTTP when accessing controller APIs?

Accepted Answer

Because HTTPS provides encrypted transport for sensitive API communication.. HTTPS is preferred because it protects the API traffic in transit with encryption. In plain language, controller APIs may carry credentials, tokens, device state, or configuration data, and sending that information in clear text over plain HTTP would expose it to interception. HTTPS helps protect that communication channel.

This does not make HTTPS a data format or an access policy by itself, but it is a major transport-security improvement. The correct answer is the one focused on secure transport for sensitive API traffic.

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Because HTTPS provides better throughput for API responses

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Because HTTPS replaces the need for authentication.

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Because HTTPS is the only protocol that can carry JSON.

Question 14

Match each controller or automation term to its most accurate description.

Accepted Answer

PLC: Industrial computer used for automation of electromechanical processes. The Controller is the central platform that coordinates policy and management, typically in software-defined networking (SDN). The Northbound API is the application-facing interface that lets external applications communicate with the controller to request services. JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, structured data format commonly used in API payloads for its human-readable and machine-parseable syntax. HTTPS is the secure transport protocol that encrypts API communication to protect data in transit.

Question 15

Match each common API or data term to its most accurate meaning.

Accepted Answer

API: Defined software interface used for communication. API (Application Programming Interface) is a defined set of rules that allows software components to communicate, matching 'Defined software interface used for communication.' JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format with key-value pairs, matching 'Structured data format.' HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) encrypts HTTP traffic using TLS/SSL, providing secure transport, matching 'Secure transport for the communication.' Token is a unique string used for authentication and authorization, matching 'Credential-like value used to help control access.'