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200-901 Practice Question: A developer is designing a Python script to parse…
A developer is designing a Python script to parse the output of 'show ip interface brief' from a Cisco IOS device. The output is stored in a string variable. The developer wants to extract only the interfaces that are up/up. The current code uses regular expressions but often fails because the interface names contain special characters (e.g., GigabitEthernet1/0/1). Which approach should the developer use to reliably parse the output?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume regex or string splitting is always sufficient for parsing CLI output, overlooking that Cisco devices can natively output structured data formats like JSON, which is the recommended method for reliable parsing in network automation.
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
✓
Use a structured data format like JSON or YAML if available from the device
Cisco IOS devices can output structured data formats like JSON or YAML when commands are prefixed with 'pipe' modifiers (e.g., `show ip interface brief | json`). Parsing structured data eliminates the need for fragile regex patterns that fail on interface names containing special characters like slashes or hyphens. This approach is more reliable and maintainable, aligning with modern network automation practices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use the 're' module with a more complex pattern that escapes special characters
Why it's wrong here
While possible, regex is brittle and hard to maintain; structured output is preferred.
- ✗
Use split on whitespace and check column values
Why it's wrong here
This may work for simple lines but fails if interface names contain spaces or if column alignment changes.
- ✓
Use a structured data format like JSON or YAML if available from the device
Why this is correct
Structured output is consistent, machine-readable, and immune to formatting changes.
- ✗
Use a CSV parser with a custom delimiter
Why it's wrong here
The output is not CSV; there is no consistent delimiter.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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