350-601 Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is implementing automated configuration management using Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator). The team wants to ensure that any configuration changes made directly on the devices (out-of-band) are detected and reconciled. Which NSO feature should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between features that manage NSO's internal state (CDB snapshots, rollback) versus features that synchronize with external devices (fast-map), leading candidates to confuse backup mechanisms with reconciliation tools.
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
✓
Fast-map synchronization
Fast-map synchronization is the correct NSO feature because it is specifically designed to detect and reconcile configuration changes made directly on managed devices (out-of-band changes). It compares the device's running configuration against NSO's CDB and generates the necessary NETCONF or CLI operations to bring the device back into sync with NSO's desired state, ensuring consistency without manual intervention.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configuration Database (CDB) snapshots
Why it's wrong here
CDB stores configurations but does not detect out-of-band changes.
- ✓
Fast-map synchronization
Why this is correct
Fast-map syncs device configurations with NSO and detects drift.
- ✗
Service model templates
Why it's wrong here
Service models define services, not detection of out-of-band changes.
- ✗
Rollback and recovery mechanism
Why it's wrong here
Rollback is used after changes are made.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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