This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ansible automation. 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.
Given the following Ansible playbook snippet:
---
- name: Configure VLAN
hosts: switches
gather_facts: no
tasks:
- name: Create VLAN 100
ios_vlan:
vlan_id: 100
name: Engineering
state: present
Which statement is true about 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 creates VLAN 100 with name Engineering if it does not exist.
The ios_vlan module is used to manage VLANs on Cisco IOS switches. The 'state: present' ensures the VLAN exists. The module will create VLAN 100 with the name 'Engineering' if it does not already exist.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
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 creates VLAN 100 with name Engineering if it does not exist.
Why this is correct
Correct. The module idempotently creates the VLAN with the specified name.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
It only checks if VLAN 100 exists and reports its status.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'state: present' will create the VLAN if missing, not just check.
✗
It deletes VLAN 100 if it exists.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'state: present' ensures existence, not deletion. 'state: absent' would delete.
✗
It fails because 'name' is not a valid parameter for ios_vlan.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'name' is a valid parameter to set the VLAN name.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Ansible Automation — This question tests Ansible Automation — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It creates VLAN 100 with name Engineering if it does not exist. — The ios_vlan module is used to manage VLANs on Cisco IOS switches. The 'state: present' ensures the VLAN exists. The module will create VLAN 100 with the name 'Engineering' if it does not already exist.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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