The answer is that the sensor-group path is not supported by the device. When a Cisco XR router is configured to stream telemetry via gRPC with TLS, the collector can establish a secure connection successfully, but if the YANG model specified in the sensor path—such as 'openconfig-interfaces'—is not implemented on that particular platform or software version, the device has no data to stream, resulting in empty telemetry data. This scenario is a classic trap on the Cisco SPCOR / CCNP Service Provider Core 350-501 exam, testing your understanding that a successful TLS handshake does not guarantee data delivery; the root cause is often a mismatch between the configured sensor path and the device’s supported YANG models. A common memory tip is “No path, no payload”—if the sensor path isn’t supported, the data stream will be empty, not error-filled.
350-501 Automation and Assurance Practice Question
This 350-501 practice question tests your understanding of automation and assurance. 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 Cisco XR router is configured to stream telemetry via gRPC with TLS. The collector can connect but receives empty data. The telemetry configuration is as follows: sensor-group with 'openconfig-interfaces' paths. What is the likely cause?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The sensor-group path is not supported by the device
If the device does not support the 'openconfig-interfaces' YANG model, the sensor path returns no data, resulting in empty telemetry data. The collector connects successfully, so TLS is fine. Missing encoding would cause errors but not empty data. CPU overload or short interval would still produce some data.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 router's CPU is overloaded
Why it's wrong here
CPU overload could cause delays but not empty data; data would still be sent.
✓
The sensor-group path is not supported by the device
Why this is correct
An unsupported YANG path results in an empty subscription; the device may not implement openconfig-interfaces.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The collector does not support TLS
Why it's wrong here
The collector can connect, so TLS handshake succeeded.
✗
The telemetry interval is too short
Why it's wrong here
A short interval would still produce data; empty data indicates no data source.
✗
The destination group is missing the 'encoding' configuration
Why it's wrong here
Missing encoding might cause errors but not empty data; default encoding is GPB.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-501 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Automation and Assurance — This question tests Automation and Assurance — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The sensor-group path is not supported by the device — If the device does not support the 'openconfig-interfaces' YANG model, the sensor path returns no data, resulting in empty telemetry data. The collector connects successfully, so TLS is fine. Missing encoding would cause errors but not empty data. CPU overload or short interval would still produce some data.
What should I do if I get this 350-501 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 350-501 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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Question Discussion
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