Quick Answer
The answer is an Ansible playbook with the nxos_vlan module because it provides idempotent, declarative automation that ensures consistent VLAN deployment across all 50 Nexus switches with minimal manual effort. This approach leverages Ansible’s native SSH connectivity and state management to apply the desired VLAN configuration exactly as defined, eliminating the risk of human error from manual CLI entry or custom scripting. On the Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of network automation principles, specifically how Ansible’s push-based model and the nxos_vlan module enforce a single source of truth for VLAN provisioning across a fabric. A common trap is choosing a Python script with Netmiko, which lacks built-in idempotency and requires additional error handling, whereas the nxos_vlan module handles state reconciliation automatically. Memory tip: think “VLAN via VLAN” — the module name itself (nxos_vlan) directly maps to the task, making it the most straightforward and repeatable choice for consistent VLAN automation.
This 350-601 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 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?
Python script using netmiko
Why wrong: Imperative and error-prone, requires handling connection states.
Manual CLI on each switch
Why wrong: Manual, time-consuming, and error-prone.
Bash script with SSH
Why wrong: Imperative, no idempotency, difficult to maintain.
Ansible playbook with nxos_vlan module
Declarative and idempotent, ensures consistent configuration.
Answer choices
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.
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.
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
The nxos_vlan module leverages NX-API or NX-OS SSH to apply configurations declaratively; Ansible's push-based architecture uses a control node to execute playbooks in parallel across inventory groups, ensuring each switch reaches the desired state. Under the hood, Ansible compares the current VLAN configuration against the desired state and only applies changes when necessary, which is critical for large-scale deployments to avoid unnecessary configuration pushes and potential service disruption.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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