Quick Answer
The answer is Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator) because it is the only tool purpose-built for multi-data-center orchestration that natively unifies both NX-OS and ACI environments through its model-driven architecture and Network Element Drivers (NEDs). NSO leverages YANG data models and NETCONF/RESTCONF protocols to abstract device-level differences, enabling consistent service deployment and closed-loop automation across distributed sites—a capability that tools like Ansible or Python scripts lack at the orchestration layer. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this question tests your understanding of multi-domain automation, often appearing as a scenario where you must choose between NSO, APIC-EM, or SD-WAN controllers; the common trap is selecting ACI’s APIC alone, which cannot orchestrate standalone NX-OS devices. Remember the memory tip: “NSO unifies NX-OS and ACI under one YANG roof.”
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.
For consistent multi-data-center automation, which tool is best suited to orchestrate both NX-OS and ACI across sites?
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.
Cisco NSO
NSO is built for service orchestration across multiple domains including NX-OS and ACI.
Puppet
Why wrong: Puppet is primarily for configuration management, not cross-domain orchestration.
Ansible
Why wrong: Ansible is good but not as comprehensive for multi-domain orchestration as NSO.
Chef
Why wrong: Chef is a configuration management tool, not an orchestrator.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Cisco NSO
Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator) is the correct tool because it provides multi-domain, multi-vendor orchestration with native support for both NX-OS and ACI through its Network Element Drivers (NEDs). NSO uses a model-driven approach with YANG data models and NETCONF/RESTCONF protocols to manage configuration consistency across distributed data centers, enabling service-level abstraction and closed-loop automation that other tools lack.
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.
Cisco NSO
Why this is correct
NSO is built for service orchestration across multiple domains including NX-OS and ACI.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Puppet
Why it's wrong here
Puppet is primarily for configuration management, not cross-domain orchestration.
Ansible
Why it's wrong here
Ansible is good but not as comprehensive for multi-domain orchestration as NSO.
Chef
Why it's wrong here
Chef is a configuration management tool, not an orchestrator.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between configuration management tools (Puppet, Chef, Ansible) and true orchestration platforms (NSO), trapping candidates who assume any automation tool can handle multi-site consistency without understanding NSO's model-driven, stateful orchestration and NED architecture.
Detailed technical explanation
NSO achieves multi-site consistency by maintaining a CDB (Configuration Database) that stores the intended state as YANG-modeled data, then uses NEDs to translate that into device-specific CLI or API calls (e.g., NX-OS CLI, ACI REST API). Under the hood, NSO employs a transaction-based commit model with rollback capabilities, ensuring that changes across NX-OS and ACI fabrics are atomic and consistent, which is critical for scenarios like stretching VLANs or deploying multi-site EPGs across data centers.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Automation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Automation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All 350-601 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
350-601 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Network.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Compute.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Storage Network.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Automation.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to Security.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 fundamentals.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 scenario.
Practise 350-601 questions linked to 350-601 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Cisco NSO — Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator) is the correct tool because it provides multi-domain, multi-vendor orchestration with native support for both NX-OS and ACI through its Network Element Drivers (NEDs). NSO uses a model-driven approach with YANG data models and NETCONF/RESTCONF protocols to manage configuration consistency across distributed data centers, enabling service-level abstraction and closed-loop automation that other tools lack.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.