CCNP Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is designing a Python script to automate configuration changes on a fleet of Cisco IOS XE devices using the NETCONF protocol. The script must ensure that changes are atomic and that the device validates the configuration before committing. Which two NETCONF capabilities must the script check for during the capability exchange to guarantee these requirements? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that rollback-on-error alone guarantees atomicity and validation, but it only handles errors after commit and does not validate beforehand.
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
✓
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:candidate:1.0
To ensure atomic changes and pre-commit validation, the script must use the candidate datastore and the validate capability. The candidate capability allows editing a separate configuration, validating it, and committing atomically. The validate capability provides the <validate> RPC to check the candidate before commit. Together, they satisfy both requirements; other capabilities do not provide both atomicity and validation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:candidate:1.0
Why this is correct
The candidate capability allows the script to edit the candidate datastore, validate changes, and commit them atomically. Without it, direct edits to the running datastore may not support rollback or validation, violating the atomicity requirement. Checking for this capability ensures the device supports the candidate configuration workflow.
- ✗
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:startup:1.0
Why it's wrong here
The startup capability allows editing the startup datastore, which is used for persistent configuration across reboots. It does not provide atomic commit or validation of changes. Using startup would not meet the requirement for atomic and validated configuration changes on the running system.
- ✗
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:rollback-on-error:1.0
Why it's wrong here
Rollback-on-error automatically reverts changes if an error occurs during a commit, but it does not provide validation before commit. It is useful for atomicity in case of errors, but the question specifically requires validation before committing. Relying solely on rollback-on-error does not guarantee pre-commit validation.
- ✓
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:validate:1.0
Why this is correct
The validate capability enables the <validate> RPC, which checks the syntax and semantics of a configuration before committing. This satisfies the requirement to validate the configuration. Without it, the script cannot explicitly validate the candidate before commit, increasing the risk of committing invalid configurations.
- ✗
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:writable-running:1.0
Why it's wrong here
Writable-running allows direct edits to the running datastore, but it does not provide atomic commit or validation. Editing running directly can lead to partial configuration if an error occurs. This capability is the opposite of what is needed for atomic, validated changes.
About these practice questions
This 350-401 question is part of Courseiva's 1,923-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.