350-601 Automation Practice Question
A network engineer wants to automate the deployment of VLANs across 50 Nexus switches in a data center. Which approach provides the most consistent and repeatable results with minimal manual effort?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between ad-hoc scripting (like netmiko or Bash) and declarative automation tools (like Ansible) that provide idempotency and state management, leading candidates to choose a technically functional but less robust scripting approach.
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
✓
Ansible playbook with nxos_vlan module
Ansible playbook with the nxos_vlan module is the correct choice because it provides idempotent, declarative automation that ensures consistent VLAN configuration across all 50 Nexus switches with minimal manual effort. Ansible handles SSH connectivity and state management natively, eliminating the need for custom scripting and reducing the risk of human error.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Python script using netmiko
Why it's wrong here
Imperative and error-prone, requires handling connection states.
- ✗
Manual CLI on each switch
Why it's wrong here
Manual, time-consuming, and error-prone.
- ✗
Bash script with SSH
Why it's wrong here
Imperative, no idempotency, difficult to maintain.
- ✓
Ansible playbook with nxos_vlan module
Why this is correct
Declarative and idempotent, ensures consistent configuration.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.