The answer is to use the cisco.aci collection and the state: query parameter for idempotent checks. This is correct because the cisco.aci collection is the official, Cisco-maintained Ansible collection that abstracts the ACI REST API, ensuring that your automation tasks are idempotent—meaning they can be run multiple times without causing unintended changes. The state: query parameter is specifically designed to retrieve the current state of an object without making modifications, which is a core best practice for verifying configuration before applying changes. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of reliable automation in a data center environment; a common trap is confusing state: query with state: present or absent, which actually modify the fabric. Remember the memory tip: "Query to verify, present to apply"—always use query first for safe, idempotent checks.
350-601 Automation Practice Question
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.
Which TWO are best practices when automating ACI fabric configuration using Ansible?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the cisco.aci collection
The cisco.aci collection is the official Ansible collection for automating Cisco ACI fabric configuration. It provides modules that abstract the ACI REST API, ensuring idempotent and reliable configuration management. Using this collection is a best practice because it is maintained by Cisco and follows Ansible's recommended approach for interacting with ACI.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set validate_certs: no to avoid certificate errors
Why it's wrong here
Disabling certificate verification is a security risk.
✓
Use the cisco.aci collection
Why this is correct
The official collection provides idempotent modules for 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.
✗
Store credentials in plain text in playbooks
Why it's wrong here
Credentials should be stored encrypted (e.g., Ansible Vault).
✓
Use state: query for idempotent checks
Why this is correct
state: query checks existing objects without changes.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use delegate_to: localhost for all tasks
Why it's wrong here
APIC tasks run on the controller; delegate_to is not required.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that disabling certificate validation (validate_certs: no) is acceptable for lab environments, but the exam expects adherence to security best practices regardless of environment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The cisco.aci collection modules use the ACI REST API with XML or JSON payloads, and they handle authentication via the aaaLogin method. The state: query parameter is used to retrieve current configuration without making changes, which is essential for idempotent checks in playbooks. In a real-world scenario, using state: query allows operators to validate the existing ACI fabric state before applying changes, reducing the risk of unintended modifications.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the cisco.aci collection — The cisco.aci collection is the official Ansible collection for automating Cisco ACI fabric configuration. It provides modules that abstract the ACI REST API, ensuring idempotent and reliable configuration management. Using this collection is a best practice because it is maintained by Cisco and follows Ansible's recommended approach for interacting with ACI.
What should I do if I get this 350-601 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. In an ACI fabric, an automation engineer needs to deploy tenant policies in an idempotent manner. Which approach is most aligned with best practices?
hard
A.Use the REST API with POST method for each creation
✓ B.Use Ansible with state: present in the cisco.aci collections
C.Write CLI scripts using expect or pexpect
D.Use Python SDK with a check-and-create loop
Why B: Option B is correct because Ansible's `state: present` in the `cisco.aci` collection inherently provides idempotency: it checks the current state of the ACI object and only applies changes if the desired state differs, ensuring no duplicate or conflicting configurations. This aligns with best practices for automation, as it avoids manual error handling and guarantees consistent policy deployment without side effects.
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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
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