This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ansible automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Given the following Ansible playbook snippet:
---
- name: Configure EIGRP
hosts: routers
gather_facts: no
tasks:
- name: EIGRP config
ios_config:
lines:
- router eigrp 100
- network 192.168.1.0
parents: router eigrp 100
What is the effect of this playbook?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It fails because the network statement requires a wildcard mask.
Similar to the previous question, this playbook has a redundancy issue. The 'parents' parameter enters EIGRP router configuration mode, and the 'lines' include 'router eigrp 100' again, which would cause an error. Additionally, EIGRP network statements require a wildcard mask; without it, the command is incomplete.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
It fails because the network statement requires a wildcard mask.
Why this is correct
Correct. EIGRP network statements need a wildcard mask; without it, the command is invalid.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
It configures EIGRP AS 100 and advertises network 192.168.1.0/24.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The missing wildcard mask causes a failure.
✗
It only enters EIGRP configuration mode without applying any network statement.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The playbook attempts to apply both, but fails due to the missing mask.
✗
It works correctly because the network statement defaults to a classful mask.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. EIGRP does not default to classful masks; the wildcard mask is required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-401 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Ansible Automation — This question tests Ansible Automation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It fails because the network statement requires a wildcard mask. — Similar to the previous question, this playbook has a redundancy issue. The 'parents' parameter enters EIGRP router configuration mode, and the 'lines' include 'router eigrp 100' again, which would cause an error. Additionally, EIGRP network statements require a wildcard mask; without it, the command is incomplete.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-401 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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