350-601 Automation Practice Question
Exhibit
fatal: [nxos-switch]: FAILED! => {"changed": false, "msg": "unable to authenticate: authentication failed", "invocation": {"module_args": {"password": "VALUE_SPECIFIED_IN_NO_LOG_PARAMETER", "username": "admin"}}}Refer to the exhibit. An Ansible playbook targeting an NX-OS switch fails with this error. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between SSH connectivity errors (e.g., 'Connection refused') and authentication errors (e.g., 'Permission denied'), leading candidates to mistakenly blame SSH configuration when the real issue is incorrect credentials.
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
✓
The password is incorrect
The error message indicates an authentication failure during the SSH connection from Ansible to the NX-OS switch. Since Ansible uses SSH to execute tasks, a 'Permission denied' error most commonly points to incorrect credentials. The playbook likely specifies the wrong password for the given username, causing the SSH session to be rejected.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The password is incorrect
Why this is correct
'authentication failed' indicates wrong password or username, and password is the most common issue.
- ✗
The username is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
The username is shown as 'admin', so likely correct; the error points to password.
- ✗
SSH is not enabled on the switch
Why it's wrong here
If SSH were not enabled, Ansible would fail to connect (timeout or connection refused).
- ✗
The Ansible version is incompatible with the switch
Why it's wrong here
Incompatibility would cause different errors, not authentication failure.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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