Quick Answer
The answer is Paramiko. For automating Cisco IOS XE configuration backups to a TFTP server, Paramiko is the best choice because it provides direct, low-level SSHv2 control, allowing you to send the `copy running-config tftp:` command and handle the interactive prompts that follow—such as confirming the filename and destination—without the higher-level abstractions that Netmiko introduces. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this question tests your understanding of when to use a raw SSH library versus a network automation library; a common trap is assuming Netmiko is always better because it’s more popular, but for simple, script-driven tasks like a one-off backup, Paramiko’s simplicity and direct session handling are more appropriate. Remember the memory tip: “Paramiko for raw power, Netmiko for platform abstraction”—when you need to send a specific command and handle its output interactively, go low-level with Paramiko.
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of 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.
A network engineer needs to automate the backup of running configurations from multiple Cisco IOS XE devices to a central TFTP server. Which tool is best suited for this task in a Python-based automation framework?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
RESTCONF
Why wrong: RESTCONF is a protocol for model-driven APIs, not for CLI-based backup.
Ansible
Why wrong: Ansible is a configuration management tool, not a Python library.
Paramiko
Paramiko provides SSH connectivity to network devices.
Netmiko
Why wrong: Netmiko is a high-level library built on Paramiko, but Paramiko is the underlying SSH implementation.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Paramiko
Paramiko is a Python library that implements the SSHv2 protocol, allowing direct, low-level SSH connections to network devices. For backing up running configurations to a TFTP server, Paramiko can execute the `copy running-config tftp:` command on each device, providing the necessary interactive session handling. While Netmiko is built on Paramiko, it is a higher-level library that abstracts away some of the low-level control; for a simple, script-driven backup task, Paramiko offers the direct SSH access needed without additional overhead.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
RESTCONF
Why it's wrong here
RESTCONF is a protocol for model-driven APIs, not for CLI-based backup.
Ansible
Why it's wrong here
Ansible is a configuration management tool, not a Python library.
Paramiko
Why this is correct
Paramiko provides SSH connectivity to network devices.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Netmiko
Why it's wrong here
Netmiko is a high-level library built on Paramiko, but Paramiko is the underlying SSH implementation.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between low-level SSH libraries (Paramiko) and higher-level abstractions (Netmiko), trapping candidates who assume Netmiko is always better because it is more popular, when the question emphasizes a simple, direct SSH task where Paramiko's lower-level control is actually more appropriate.
Detailed technical explanation
Paramiko uses the SSH transport layer to establish encrypted sessions, handling key exchange, authentication, and channel multiplexing. When executing `copy running-config tftp:`, the device may prompt for the TFTP server IP and filename; Paramiko allows precise control over sending these responses via `send()` and `recv()` methods, which is critical for interactive commands. In real-world scenarios, network engineers often combine Paramiko with `expect`-like logic to handle varying prompts, ensuring robust automation across different IOS versions.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Paramiko — Paramiko is a Python library that implements the SSHv2 protocol, allowing direct, low-level SSH connections to network devices. For backing up running configurations to a TFTP server, Paramiko can execute the `copy running-config tftp:` command on each device, providing the necessary interactive session handling. While Netmiko is built on Paramiko, it is a higher-level library that abstracts away some of the low-level control; for a simple, script-driven backup task, Paramiko offers the direct SSH access needed without additional overhead.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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