200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
A network automation engineer is writing a Python script to configure multiple devices. Which library is most appropriate for SSH-based interactions?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between Paramiko (a general SSH library) and Netmiko (a network-device-specific library built on Paramiko), leading candidates to choose Paramiko because they recognize it as an SSH library without considering the higher-level abstractions Netmiko provides for 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
✓
Netmiko
Netmiko is a Python library built on top of Paramiko that simplifies SSH connections to network devices. It provides high-level methods for sending commands, handling prompts, and managing device interactions, making it the most appropriate choice for automating configuration tasks across multiple devices.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
requests
Why it's wrong here
requests is for HTTP, not SSH.
- ✗
socket
Why it's wrong here
socket is too low-level for this task.
- ✓
Netmiko
Why this is correct
Netmiko is the standard library for network device SSH automation.
- ✗
paramiko
Why it's wrong here
Paramiko provides low-level SSH protocol handling, but the question requires a library that abstracts device configuration workflows. Paramiko lacks built-in support for the Cisco-specific command parsing, privilege escalation handling, and session management that Netmiko (the correct choice) wraps around Paramiko. It is tempting because Paramiko is the underlying SSH engine for many network automation tools, and it would be correct for a raw SSH connection where the engineer manually handles all device interaction logic.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.