How should I use these Automation and Assurance practice questions?

Read each scenario carefully and choose your answer before revealing the explanation. Then check why your choice was right or wrong. Repeat until the reasoning feels automatic.

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Yes — use the session launcher on this page to start a 10-, 20-, 30- or 50-question session drawn entirely from the Automation and Assurance domain.

350-501 · topic practice

Automation and Assurance practice questions

Practise Cisco SPCOR / CCNP Service Provider Core 350-501 Automation and Assurance practice questions — original exam-style scenarios with answer choices, explanations, and analysis of common mistakes.

Courseiva uses original exam-style practice questions designed for learning and revision. The goal is to understand the concepts, recognise exam patterns, and improve through explanations — not memorise copied exam dumps.

Reviewed byJohnson Ajibi· MSc IT Security

20 questionsDomain: Automation and Assurance

Practice 10 questions Browse domain →

What the exam tests

What to know about Automation and Assurance

Automation and Assurance questions test whether you can apply the concept in context, not just recognise a definition.

How the topic appears in realistic exam-style scenarios.

Which detail in the question changes the correct answer.

How to eliminate plausible but wrong options.

How to connect the question back to the wider exam objective.

Watch out for

Common Automation and Assurance exam traps

▸Answering from memory before reading the full scenario.
▸Missing a constraint such as cost, availability, security, scope or command context.
▸Choosing a broad answer when the question asks for the most specific fix.
▸Ignoring why the wrong options are tempting.

Practice set

Automation and Assurance questions

20 questions · select your answer, then reveal the explanation

Question 1easymultiple choice

Study the full Python automation breakdown →

A network engineer wants to automate the backup of router configurations using Python and NETCONF. Which YANG model should the engineer use to access the running configuration?

Trap 1: urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:rollback-on-error:1.0

This capability provides error rollback, not config retrieval.

Trap 2: urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:candidate:1.0

Candidate capability allows using a candidate datastore, but for retrieval, any datastore works.

Trap 3: urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:confirmed-commit:1.0

This capability enables confirmed commits, not retrieving config.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:rollback-on-error:1.0
Why wrong: This capability provides error rollback, not config retrieval.
B
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:candidate:1.0
Why wrong: Candidate capability allows using a candidate datastore, but for retrieval, any datastore works.
C
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:confirmed-commit:1.0
Why wrong: This capability enables confirmed commits, not retrieving config.
D
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:xpath:1.0
Why wrong: XPath capability enables filtering, not required for full config retrieval.
E
urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:writable-running:1.0 [correct]
Why wrong: This capability allows writing to running, but retrieving is standard.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 2easymulti select

Read the full network assurance explanation →

Which TWO actions are required to enable model-driven telemetry on a Cisco IOS XR router?

Trap 1: Apply an access-list to allow telemetry traffic from the router.

While ACLs may be used for security, they are not a mandatory step to enable telemetry.

Trap 2: Enable NETCONF on the router for telemetry to function.

Telemetry can operate independently of NETCONF; it uses gRPC or UDP for data transport.

Trap 3: Configure the subscription with the sensor path directly.

The subscription references a sensor group (which contains the sensor path), not the path itself.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Configure a subscription that refers to a sensor group and a destination group.
The subscription is the binding that activates data collection and forwarding to the receiver.
B
Apply an access-list to allow telemetry traffic from the router.
Why wrong: While ACLs may be used for security, they are not a mandatory step to enable telemetry.
C
Enable NETCONF on the router for telemetry to function.
Why wrong: Telemetry can operate independently of NETCONF; it uses gRPC or UDP for data transport.
D
Configure a destination group with receiver IP and port.
A destination group specifies the collector address and protocol (e.g., gRPC). This is necessary to send data.
E
Configure the subscription with the sensor path directly.
Why wrong: The subscription references a sensor group (which contains the sensor path), not the path itself.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 3mediummultiple choice

Read the full REST/YANG explanation →

A service provider is implementing network automation using YANG data models. They need to ensure that the automation solution supports both configuration and operational state data retrieval. Which NETCONF operation should be used to retrieve operational state data?

Trap 1: <edit-config>

Used to edit configuration, not retrieve data.

Trap 2: <get-config>

Retrieves only configuration data, not operational state.

Trap 3: <lock>

Used to lock a datastore, not retrieve data.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
<edit-config>
Why wrong: Used to edit configuration, not retrieve data.
B
<get-config>
Why wrong: Retrieves only configuration data, not operational state.
C
<get>
Retrieves both configuration and operational state data.
D
<lock>
Why wrong: Used to lock a datastore, not retrieve data.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 4easymultiple choice

Study the full Python automation breakdown →

Which tool is used to validate YANG data models against device capabilities and to generate Python bindings for automation scripts?

Trap 1: RESTCONF

An HTTP-based protocol for YANG data.

Trap 2: Ansible

Automation tool, not a YANG validator.

Trap 3: NETCONF

A network configuration protocol, not a tool.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
RESTCONF
Why wrong: An HTTP-based protocol for YANG data.
B
pyang
Validates YANG models and can generate Python bindings.
C
Ansible
Why wrong: Automation tool, not a YANG validator.
D
NETCONF
Why wrong: A network configuration protocol, not a tool.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 5hardmultiple choice

Open the full BGP breakdown →

A network engineer is automating BGP configuration using the Cisco IOS-XE YANG model. They want to enable the 'always-compare-med' feature under BGP. Which XPath expression correctly targets this leaf?

Trap 1: /bgp/global/always-compare-med

Missing the 'native/router' prefix.

Trap 2: /native/router/bgp/always-compare-med

Missing the 'scope/global' containers.

Trap 3: /router/bgp/global/always-compare-med

Missing 'native' container.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
/bgp/global/always-compare-med
Why wrong: Missing the 'native/router' prefix.
B
/native/router/bgp/scope/global/always-compare-med
Correct path according to Cisco IOS-XE YANG model.
C
/native/router/bgp/always-compare-med
Why wrong: Missing the 'scope/global' containers.
D
/router/bgp/global/always-compare-med
Why wrong: Missing 'native' container.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 6mediummultiple choice

Read the full REST/YANG explanation →

A service provider uses RESTCONF to automate interface configuration. They need to add a new IPv4 address to an existing interface. Which HTTP method and URI should be used?

Trap 1: DELETE /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEt…

DELETE removes the entire interface.

Trap 2: POST /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEthe…

POST is used to create a new resource, not to add to an existing list.

Trap 3: PUT /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEther…

PUT replaces the entire address list, not add.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
DELETE /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEthernet0/1
Why wrong: DELETE removes the entire interface.
B
PATCH /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEthernet0/1/ietf-ip:ipv4/address
PATCH merges the new address into the list.
C
POST /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEthernet0/1/ietf-ip:ipv4
Why wrong: POST is used to create a new resource, not to add to an existing list.
D
PUT /restconf/data/ietf-interfaces:interfaces/interface=GigabitEthernet0/1/ietf-ip:ipv4/address
Why wrong: PUT replaces the entire address list, not add.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 7easymultiple choice

Read the full network assurance explanation →

What is the primary benefit of using model-driven telemetry over traditional SNMP polling for network assurance?

Trap 1: Reduces the need for YANG models

Telemetry actually uses YANG models.

Trap 2: Increases security by using SSH

Both can use secure transports.

Trap 3: Simplifies device configuration

Telemetry configuration can be complex.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Provides real-time data streaming without polling overhead
Push-based telemetry eliminates polling.
B
Reduces the need for YANG models
Why wrong: Telemetry actually uses YANG models.
C
Increases security by using SSH
Why wrong: Both can use secure transports.
D
Simplifies device configuration
Why wrong: Telemetry configuration can be complex.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 8hardmultiple choice

Read the full network assurance explanation →

A network operator uses gRPC Network Management Interface (gNMI) to collect telemetry data from routers. They notice that some updates are missing. Which gNMI mode should be used to ensure that all state changes are captured?

Trap 1: TARGET_DEFINED

Not a standard gNMI mode.

Trap 2: POLL

Polling is not a gNMI subscription mode.

Trap 3: SAMPLE

Periodic sampling may miss changes between intervals.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
ON_CHANGE
Sends updates only when a value changes, capturing all changes.
B
TARGET_DEFINED
Why wrong: Not a standard gNMI mode.
C
POLL
Why wrong: Polling is not a gNMI subscription mode.
D
SAMPLE
Why wrong: Periodic sampling may miss changes between intervals.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 9mediummultiple choice

Read the full MPLS explanation →

A service provider is deploying a new automation framework using Ansible to configure MPLS VPNs. They need to ensure that the Ansible playbook can handle configuration rollback in case of failure. Which Ansible feature should be used?

Trap 1: Use 'tags' to selectively apply tasks

Helps run specific tasks, not rollback.

Trap 2: Use 'check_mode' to validate changes before applying

Validates but does not provide backup for rollback.

Trap 3: Set 'ignore_errors' to true

Ignores errors, does not provide rollback.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Use the 'backup' option in the ios_config module
Backs up running config before changes for rollback.
B
Use 'tags' to selectively apply tasks
Why wrong: Helps run specific tasks, not rollback.
C
Use 'check_mode' to validate changes before applying
Why wrong: Validates but does not provide backup for rollback.
D
Set 'ignore_errors' to true
Why wrong: Ignores errors, does not provide rollback.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 10hardmultiple choice

Read the full REST/YANG explanation →

A network engineer is troubleshooting a NETCONF session that fails to establish between a controller and a router. The router supports NETCONF over SSH on port 830. The controller can reach the router but the session fails. What is the most likely cause?

Trap 1: The router's NETCONF capability is disabled

If disabled, the router wouldn't listen on port 830.

Trap 2: The controller is using the wrong port (e.g., 22)

The engineer knows port 830 is correct.

Trap 3: The router does not support YANG models

NETCONF sessions can establish even without YANG models, but models are needed for data access.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
The router's NETCONF capability is disabled
Why wrong: If disabled, the router wouldn't listen on port 830.
B
The SSH host key of the router is not in the controller's known_hosts file
SSH host key verification failure can cause session failure.
C
The controller is using the wrong port (e.g., 22)
Why wrong: The engineer knows port 830 is correct.
D
The router does not support YANG models
Why wrong: NETCONF sessions can establish even without YANG models, but models are needed for data access.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 11easymulti select

Read the full REST/YANG explanation →

Which TWO statements about YANG data models are true? (Choose two.)

Trap 1: YANG models can be directly converted to SNMP MIBs.

YANG and SNMP MIBs are different; conversion is not direct.

Trap 2: YANG models define only configuration data, not state data.

YANG models define both config and state data.

Trap 3: YANG models define CLI commands.

YANG models define data, not CLI commands.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
YANG models can be directly converted to SNMP MIBs.
Why wrong: YANG and SNMP MIBs are different; conversion is not direct.
B
YANG models define only configuration data, not state data.
Why wrong: YANG models define both config and state data.
C
YANG models define CLI commands.
Why wrong: YANG models define data, not CLI commands.
D
YANG models are used to model data for NETCONF and RESTCONF.
YANG is the data modeling language for NETCONF/RESTCONF.
E
YANG models can be augmented to extend existing models.
Augmentation is a key feature of YANG.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 12mediummulti select

Read the full network assurance explanation →

Which THREE components are required for model-driven telemetry with gRPC? (Choose three.)

Trap 1: SNMP trap receiver

SNMP traps are not part of gRPC telemetry.

Trap 2: NETCONF session

gRPC telemetry does not use NETCONF.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
SNMP trap receiver
Why wrong: SNMP traps are not part of gRPC telemetry.
B
NETCONF session
Why wrong: gRPC telemetry does not use NETCONF.
C
YANG data model
Defines the data to be streamed.
D
gRPC dial-out from the network device
Device pushes data to the receiver.
E
Telemetry receiver
Collects the streamed data.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 13hardmulti select

Read the full Automation and Assurance explanation →

Which TWO statements about Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator) are true? (Choose two.)

Trap 1: NSO automatically generates Python scripts for device configuration.

NSO uses templates and code, not automatic Python generation.

Trap 2: NSO eliminates the need for SNMP in network management.

NSO can use SNMP but does not eliminate it.

Trap 3: NSO only supports CLI-based device management.

NSO supports NETCONF, SNMP, and CLI.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
NSO automatically generates Python scripts for device configuration.
Why wrong: NSO uses templates and code, not automatic Python generation.
B
NSO provides northbound APIs using NETCONF and RESTCONF.
NSO exposes NETCONF and RESTCONF northbound.
C
NSO eliminates the need for SNMP in network management.
Why wrong: NSO can use SNMP but does not eliminate it.
D
NSO only supports CLI-based device management.
Why wrong: NSO supports NETCONF, SNMP, and CLI.
E
NSO uses YANG models to define service parameters.
YANG is used for service modeling in NSO.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 14mediummultiple choice

Read the full MPLS explanation →

You are a network automation engineer for a large service provider. Your team is tasked with automating the provisioning of new MPLS L3VPN services across a multi-vendor environment (Cisco and Juniper). The automation framework uses Ansible with Jinja2 templates and NETCONF as the transport protocol. During a pilot deployment, the automation successfully configures the Cisco devices but fails on Juniper devices with a 'syntax error' when applying the generated XML configuration. The Jinja2 templates are designed to generate Cisco-style configuration. You need to modify the automation to support both vendors. Which approach is most effective?

Trap 1: Write a Python script that translates Cisco XML to Juniper XML…

Translation layer is brittle and requires ongoing maintenance.

Trap 2: Switch to CLI-based automation using SSH to avoid XML syntax issues.

CLI-based automation is less reliable and not model-driven.

Trap 3: Create a single Jinja2 template that uses conditional statements to…

Leads to complex, hard-to-debug templates.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Use IETF YANG models and create separate Jinja2 templates for Cisco and Juniper that map to their respective native YANG models.
Vendor-neutral models with separate templates ensure compatibility.
B
Write a Python script that translates Cisco XML to Juniper XML before sending.
Why wrong: Translation layer is brittle and requires ongoing maintenance.
C
Switch to CLI-based automation using SSH to avoid XML syntax issues.
Why wrong: CLI-based automation is less reliable and not model-driven.
D
Create a single Jinja2 template that uses conditional statements to generate different XML for each vendor.
Why wrong: Leads to complex, hard-to-debug templates.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 15hardmultiple choice

Open the full BGP breakdown →

You are responsible for network assurance for a Tier-1 ISP that has deployed model-driven telemetry using gNMI with ON_CHANGE subscriptions on all core routers. Recently, the NMS team reported that some BGP route flaps are not being captured in the telemetry data, even though the routers' syslogs show the flaps occurred. The telemetry subscription is for the path '/bgp/neighbors/neighbor/state/messages/received'. The NMS is using a gNMI collector that supports both ON_CHANGE and SAMPLE subscriptions. You suspect the issue is with the subscription configuration. Upon reviewing the router configuration, you see that the telemetry subscription uses the SAMPLE mode instead of ON_CHANGE. What is the most appropriate action to ensure all BGP route flap events are captured?

Trap 1: Configure the router to send syslogs to the NMS and parse them for…

Syslogs are not structured telemetry and are not real-time.

Trap 2: Add a second subscription with ON_CHANGE for the same paths to…

Redundant subscriptions are unnecessary and increase load.

Trap 3: Change the subscription to SAMPLE with a 1-second interval to…

Even 1-second sampling may miss brief flaps.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Configure the router to send syslogs to the NMS and parse them for BGP flaps.
Why wrong: Syslogs are not structured telemetry and are not real-time.
B
Add a second subscription with ON_CHANGE for the same paths to ensure redundancy.
Why wrong: Redundant subscriptions are unnecessary and increase load.
C
Change the subscription to SAMPLE with a 1-second interval to capture flaps more frequently.
Why wrong: Even 1-second sampling may miss brief flaps.
D
Modify the subscription to use ON_CHANGE mode for the BGP neighbor paths.
ON_CHANGE ensures every state change is reported.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 16mediumdrag order

Review the full routing breakdown →

Drag and drop the steps to configure a static route on a Cisco IOS router into the correct order.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps

Order

1Step 1

2Step 2

3Step 3

4Step 4

5Step 5

Trap 1: 1

This is incorrect because verifying a route before it has been configured is illogical; verification should occur after configuration.

Trap 2: 1

This is incorrect because the ip route command must be executed in global configuration mode; attempting to configure a route before entering that mode will result in an error.

Trap 3: 1

This is incorrect because exiting configuration mode first is pointless and will place you in user EXEC or privileged EXEC mode, preventing further configuration steps.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
1. Enter global configuration mode (configure terminal) 2. Configure the static route using the ip route command with destination network, subnet mask, and next-hop address or exit interface 3. Verify the configuration (e.g., show ip route) 4. Exit configuration mode (end or exit)
This is the correct order because you must first enter global configuration mode to make changes, then specify the static route, verify it works, and finally exit configuration mode.
B
1. Enter global configuration mode (configure terminal) 2. Verify the configuration (e.g., show ip route) 3. Configure the static route using the ip route command 4. Exit configuration mode (end or exit)
Why wrong: This is incorrect because verifying a route before it has been configured is illogical; verification should occur after configuration.
C
1. Configure the static route using the ip route command 2. Enter global configuration mode (configure terminal) 3. Verify the configuration (e.g., show ip route) 4. Exit configuration mode (end or exit)
Why wrong: This is incorrect because the ip route command must be executed in global configuration mode; attempting to configure a route before entering that mode will result in an error.
D
1. Exit configuration mode (end or exit) 2. Enter global configuration mode (configure terminal) 3. Configure the static route using the ip route command 4. Verify the configuration (e.g., show ip route)
Why wrong: This is incorrect because exiting configuration mode first is pointless and will place you in user EXEC or privileged EXEC mode, preventing further configuration steps.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 17mediummatching

Study the full multicast explanation →

Match each multicast protocol to its role.

Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.

Concepts

Matches

Host-to-router protocol for joining multicast groups

Sparse mode multicast routing using RP

Dense mode multicast routing assuming all routers want traffic

Protocol for connecting multiple PIM-SM domains

Bootstrap Router for automatic RP election

Trap 1: IGMP: Builds distribution trees for efficient multicast forwarding

Incorrect — tree building is done by PIM, not IGMP.

Trap 2: PIM-SM: Shares active source information between different domains

Incorrect — this describes MSDP, not PIM-SM.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
IGMP: Manages multicast group membership between hosts and local routers
IGMP is used by hosts to report multicast group membership to directly connected routers.
B
PIM-SM: Builds shared trees and uses a rendezvous point (RP) for group sources
PIM-SM uses an RP to join sources and receivers in a scalable manner.
C
MSDP: Shares active source information between different PIM-SM domains
MSDP allows multiple RPs to discover sources in other domains for inter-domain multicast.
D
MBGP: Carries multicast routing information in BGP updates for inter-domain routing
MBGP (Multiprotocol BGP) is used to exchange multicast reachability information.
E
IGMP: Builds distribution trees for efficient multicast forwarding
Why wrong: Incorrect — tree building is done by PIM, not IGMP.
F
PIM-SM: Shares active source information between different domains
Why wrong: Incorrect — this describes MSDP, not PIM-SM.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 18easymultiple choice

Review the full routing breakdown →

A network engineer needs to automate configuration of multiple Cisco routers and wants to use a protocol that supports both datastore operations and selective retrieval of configuration. Which protocol should be used?

Trap 1: SNMPv3

SNMPv3 is used for monitoring and management, not for configuration automation.

Trap 2: gRPC

gRPC is typically used for streaming telemetry, not for configuration management.

Trap 3: OpenFlow

OpenFlow is a protocol for SDN forwarding, not for device configuration.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
SNMPv3
Why wrong: SNMPv3 is used for monitoring and management, not for configuration automation.
B
gRPC
Why wrong: gRPC is typically used for streaming telemetry, not for configuration management.
C
NETCONF
NETCONF supports full datastore operations and selective retrieval using XPath filters.
D
OpenFlow
Why wrong: OpenFlow is a protocol for SDN forwarding, not for device configuration.
E
RESTCONF
Why wrong: RESTCONF, while providing HTTP-based access to YANG data models for configuration management and supporting datastore operations, does not natively provide the same granular, standardised filtering capabilities for selective retrieval as protocols like NETCONF. It primarily relies on URI paths and query parameters, which can be less precise than NETCONF's XML-based `<filter>` operation. However, RESTCONF is an excellent choice for integrating network automation with web-based applications and tools, leveraging familiar RESTful principles and JSON/XML payloads for device configuration and monitoring.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 19easymultiple choice

Read the full Automation and Assurance explanation →

An SP customer reports intermittent voice quality issues. The engineer wants to measure jitter and packet loss between two remote sites using Cisco IP SLA. Which IP SLA operation type should be configured?

Trap 1: DNS Query

DNS Query measures DNS resolution time, not relevant for voice quality.

Trap 2: ICMP Echo

ICMP Echo only measures round-trip time, not jitter or packet loss.

Trap 3: HTTP Get

HTTP Get measures HTTP server response time, not network jitter.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
DNS Query
Why wrong: DNS Query measures DNS resolution time, not relevant for voice quality.
B
ICMP Echo
Why wrong: ICMP Echo only measures round-trip time, not jitter or packet loss.
C
HTTP Get
Why wrong: HTTP Get measures HTTP server response time, not network jitter.
D
TCP Connect
Why wrong: TCP Connect measures TCP connection setup time, not jitter or loss.
E
UDP Jitter
UDP Jitter measures jitter, packet loss, and one-way delay, ideal for voice quality monitoring.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Question 20easymultiple choice

Read the full network assurance explanation →

A service provider wants to stream interface counters from a Cisco router to a collector using model-driven telemetry. The collector is behind NAT and cannot be reached from the router. Which telemetry model should be used?

Trap 1: SNMP traps

SNMP traps are not model-driven and lack structured data.

Trap 2: gNMI

gNMI is a protocol for telemetry but typically uses dial-in; it may not solve the NAT issue.

Trap 3: NETCONF

NETCONF is for configuration management, not streaming telemetry.

Study all Automation and Assurance common traps →

A
Dial-out
Dial-out lets the router push telemetry to the collector, working even if the collector is behind NAT.
B
SNMP traps
Why wrong: SNMP traps are not model-driven and lack structured data.
C
gNMI
Why wrong: gNMI is a protocol for telemetry but typically uses dial-in; it may not solve the NAT issue.
D
NETCONF
Why wrong: NETCONF is for configuration management, not streaming telemetry.
E
Dial-in
Why wrong: Dial-in requires the collector to initiate the connection, but the collector is behind NAT.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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Frequently asked questions

What does the 350-501 exam test about Automation and Assurance?: Automation and Assurance questions test whether you can apply the concept in context, not just recognise a definition.
How should I use these practice questions?: Select your answer before revealing the explanation. Then read why each option is right or wrong — this active recall approach builds retention far faster than re-reading notes.
Can I practise just Automation and Assurance questions in a focused session?: Yes — the session launcher on this page draws every question from the Automation and Assurance domain. Use a 10-question session first to gauge your baseline, then move to 20 or 30 once the weak spots are clear.
Where can I practise other 350-501 topics?: Use the topic links above to move to related areas, or go back to the 350-501 question bank to see all topics.
Are these real exam questions or dumps?: These are original practice questions written to test the same concepts the 350-501 exam covers. They are not copied from any real exam or dump site.

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All 350-501 questions Automation and Assurance domain overview 350-501 exam guide

Exam traps to avoid

▸Answering from memory before reading the full scenario.
▸Missing a constraint such as cost, availability, security, scope or command context.
▸Choosing a broad answer when the question asks for the most specific fix.
▸Ignoring why the wrong options are tempting.

Automation and Assurance practice questions

What to know about Automation and Assurance

Common Automation and Assurance exam traps

Automation and Assurance questions

A network engineer wants to automate the backup of router configurations using Python and NETCONF. Which YANG model should the engineer use to access the running configuration?

Which TWO actions are required to enable model-driven telemetry on a Cisco IOS XR router?

A service provider is implementing network automation using YANG data models. They need to ensure that the automation solution supports both configuration and operational state data retrieval. Which NETCONF operation should be used to retrieve operational state data?

Which tool is used to validate YANG data models against device capabilities and to generate Python bindings for automation scripts?

A network engineer is automating BGP configuration using the Cisco IOS-XE YANG model. They want to enable the 'always-compare-med' feature under BGP. Which XPath expression correctly targets this leaf?

A service provider uses RESTCONF to automate interface configuration. They need to add a new IPv4 address to an existing interface. Which HTTP method and URI should be used?

What is the primary benefit of using model-driven telemetry over traditional SNMP polling for network assurance?

A network operator uses gRPC Network Management Interface (gNMI) to collect telemetry data from routers. They notice that some updates are missing. Which gNMI mode should be used to ensure that all state changes are captured?

A service provider is deploying a new automation framework using Ansible to configure MPLS VPNs. They need to ensure that the Ansible playbook can handle configuration rollback in case of failure. Which Ansible feature should be used?

A network engineer is troubleshooting a NETCONF session that fails to establish between a controller and a router. The router supports NETCONF over SSH on port 830. The controller can reach the router but the session fails. What is the most likely cause?

Which TWO statements about YANG data models are true? (Choose two.)

Which THREE components are required for model-driven telemetry with gRPC? (Choose three.)

Which TWO statements about Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator) are true? (Choose two.)

Drag and drop the steps to configure a static route on a Cisco IOS router into the correct order.

Match each multicast protocol to its role.

A network engineer needs to automate configuration of multiple Cisco routers and wants to use a protocol that supports both datastore operations and selective retrieval of configuration. Which protocol should be used?

An SP customer reports intermittent voice quality issues. The engineer wants to measure jitter and packet loss between two remote sites using Cisco IP SLA. Which IP SLA operation type should be configured?

A service provider wants to stream interface counters from a Cisco router to a collector using model-driven telemetry. The collector is behind NAT and cannot be reached from the router. Which telemetry model should be used?

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