This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure and 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.
A developer wants to automate the configuration of multiple Cisco IOS-XE devices using Ansible. Which protocol should be used to ensure secure and idempotent configuration updates?
Telnet
Why wrong: Telnet is insecure and not recommended for automation.
SSH
SSH provides secure, encrypted communication and is compatible with Ansible.
SNMP
Why wrong: SNMP is used for monitoring, not for idempotent configuration.
HTTP
Why wrong: HTTP is not typically used for device configuration and is insecure.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct protocol because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote access to Cisco IOS-XE devices, which is essential for secure automation. Ansible uses SSH to connect to network devices and execute configuration commands idempotently by comparing the desired state (defined in playbooks) against the current device state, ensuring only necessary changes are applied without duplication or disruption.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Telnet
Why it's wrong here
Telnet is insecure and not recommended for automation.
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH provides secure, encrypted communication and is compatible with Ansible.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SNMP
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is used for monitoring, not for idempotent configuration.
HTTP
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is not typically used for device configuration and is insecure.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between protocols used for monitoring (SNMP) versus those used for secure configuration management (SSH), and candidates may mistakenly choose SNMP because they associate it with network management, overlooking that Ansible specifically requires an interactive, secure shell for idempotent configuration pushes.
Detailed technical explanation
Ansible's ios_config module leverages SSH to connect to the device's CLI and uses a series of show commands to gather the current running configuration, then compares it against the desired configuration defined in the playbook. Only the differences (deltas) are applied via configure terminal commands, ensuring idempotency. Under the hood, Ansible uses Paramiko or libssh for SSH transport, and the device must have SSH server enabled (e.g., ip ssh version 2) and an appropriate privilege level (15) for configuration changes.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Infrastructure and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Infrastructure and Automation — This question tests Infrastructure and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SSH — SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct protocol because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote access to Cisco IOS-XE devices, which is essential for secure automation. Ansible uses SSH to connect to network devices and execute configuration commands idempotently by comparing the desired state (defined in playbooks) against the current device state, ensuring only necessary changes are applied without duplication or disruption.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.
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