- A
Ansible uses an agentless architecture and communicates with network devices over SSH by default.
Ansible does not require an agent on managed nodes; it relies on standard protocols such as SSH for Linux/network devices, making it agentless.
- B
Python is a general-purpose programming language often used with libraries like Netmiko and NAPALM to automate network tasks.
Python itself is not a dedicated automation framework but is widely adopted for custom network automation scripts, especially with libraries that handle SSH connections and multi-vendor interactions.
- C
Puppet and Chef both use a push-based model where the master server initiates configuration changes on managed nodes.
Why wrong: Puppet and Chef use a pull model: agents periodically check in with the master/server to retrieve and apply configurations, not push.
- D
Chef playbooks are written in YAML, while Ansible uses a Ruby-based DSL for defining desired state.
Why wrong: Chef uses Ruby DSL for its recipes/cookbooks, not playbooks; Ansible uses YAML for its playbooks. The statement swaps the languages.
- E
Ansible requires an agent to be installed on managed network devices, while Puppet does not.
Why wrong: This is the opposite of reality: Ansible is agentless; Puppet requires a Puppet agent on managed nodes.
Quick Answer
The answer is that Ansible is agentless and uses a push model, meaning it does not require any software installed on managed devices and connects over SSH to push configurations directly. This is correct because Ansible leverages SSH or APIs to execute modules on network devices without needing a persistent agent, making it lightweight and easy to deploy in environments like those tested on the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam. On the exam, this concept often appears in questions contrasting agentless tools like Ansible with agent-based tools like Puppet or Chef, where a common trap is assuming all automation tools require agents. Remember that Ansible pushes, while Puppet and Chef typically pull—think “Ansible pushes, no agents needed.”
CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of ai and network operations. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO statements about network automation tools are true?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Ansible uses an agentless architecture and communicates with network devices over SSH by default.
Ansible is agentless, meaning it does not require any software installed on managed network devices. It connects to devices over SSH by default (or API for some platforms) and pushes configuration modules directly, making it lightweight and easy to deploy in network environments.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Ansible uses an agentless architecture and communicates with network devices over SSH by default.
Why this is correct
Ansible does not require an agent on managed nodes; it relies on standard protocols such as SSH for Linux/network devices, making it agentless.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Python is a general-purpose programming language often used with libraries like Netmiko and NAPALM to automate network tasks.
Why this is correct
Python itself is not a dedicated automation framework but is widely adopted for custom network automation scripts, especially with libraries that handle SSH connections and multi-vendor interactions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Puppet and Chef both use a push-based model where the master server initiates configuration changes on managed nodes.
Why it's wrong here
Puppet and Chef use a pull model: agents periodically check in with the master/server to retrieve and apply configurations, not push.
- ✗
Chef playbooks are written in YAML, while Ansible uses a Ruby-based DSL for defining desired state.
Why it's wrong here
Chef uses Ruby DSL for its recipes/cookbooks, not playbooks; Ansible uses YAML for its playbooks. The statement swaps the languages.
- ✗
Ansible requires an agent to be installed on managed network devices, while Puppet does not.
Why it's wrong here
This is the opposite of reality: Ansible is agentless; Puppet requires a Puppet agent on managed nodes.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Ansible uses an agentless architecture and communicates with network devices over SSH by default.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Ansible does not require an agent on managed nodes; it relies on standard protocols such as SSH for Linux/network devices, making it agentless.
✗Puppet and Chef both use a push-based model where the master server initiates configuration changes on managed nodes.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Ansible is the tool known for push-based orchestration; Puppet and Chef rely on agent-initiated pull cycles.
✗Chef playbooks are written in YAML, while Ansible uses a Ruby-based DSL for defining desired state.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Mixing up the DSL/language associations: Ansible = YAML, Chef = Ruby, Puppet = Puppet DSL (declarative).
✗Ansible requires an agent to be installed on managed network devices, while Puppet does not.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
This error stems from confusing the agentless nature of Ansible with the agent-based architecture of Puppet/Chef.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the confusion between push-based and pull-based models, as well as which tools use agents versus agentless architectures, to catch candidates who memorize buzzwords without understanding the underlying communication patterns.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ansible's agentless architecture leverages SSH for network devices like Cisco IOS or NX-OS, using the `ansible_connection: network_cli` parameter to send CLI commands. Under the hood, Ansible modules like `ios_config` parse device output and apply idempotent changes, which is critical for avoiding configuration drift in large-scale networks. Puppet's pull model uses a certificate-based PKI for secure node authentication, which can be complex to set up in dynamic network environments.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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AI and Network Operations — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
AI and Network Operations — This question tests AI and Network Operations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ansible uses an agentless architecture and communicates with network devices over SSH by default. — Ansible is agentless, meaning it does not require any software installed on managed network devices. It connects to devices over SSH by default (or API for some platforms) and pushes configuration modules directly, making it lightweight and easy to deploy in network environments.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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