200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of cisco platforms and development. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 network automation script using Ansible with the cisco.ios.ios_config module fails with "Unsupported parameters for (cisco.ios.ios_config) module: src." What is the most likely issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The module does not support 'src' parameter; it should use 'lines'
The error message 'Unsupported parameters for (cisco.ios.ios_config) module: src' indicates that the 'src' parameter is not a valid parameter for the cisco.ios.ios_config module. In Ansible, the correct parameter to specify configuration lines directly is 'lines', not 'src'. The 'src' parameter is used by other modules like ios_config (from the older ansible.netcommon collection) or for file-based configuration, but the cisco.ios.ios_config module expects configuration content via 'lines' or 'parents'.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 Ansible version is too old
Why it's wrong here
Old versions may lack features, but the error specifically mentions unsupported parameter.
✗
The inventory file has incorrect credentials
Why it's wrong here
Credential issues would result in authentication errors.
✗
The network device is unreachable
Why it's wrong here
Unreachability would cause connection errors, not parameter issues.
✓
The module does not support 'src' parameter; it should use 'lines'
Why this is correct
The ios_config module uses 'lines' for configuration commands.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the specific parameter names of modules in the cisco.ios collection versus the older ansible.netcommon collection, trapping candidates who assume 'src' works universally across all configuration modules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The cisco.ios.ios_config module is part of the cisco.ios collection and uses a strict parameter schema defined in its argument_spec. The 'src' parameter is valid only in the older ansible.netcommon.ios_config module (now deprecated) or in modules like cisco.ios.ios_command for file-based commands. When using the cisco.ios.ios_config module, configuration must be provided as a list of strings via the 'lines' parameter, or as a block of lines via 'parents' for hierarchical contexts. This distinction is critical in automation scripts to avoid parameter mismatches.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Cisco Platforms and Development — This question tests Cisco Platforms and Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The module does not support 'src' parameter; it should use 'lines' — The error message 'Unsupported parameters for (cisco.ios.ios_config) module: src' indicates that the 'src' parameter is not a valid parameter for the cisco.ios.ios_config module. In Ansible, the correct parameter to specify configuration lines directly is 'lines', not 'src'. The 'src' parameter is used by other modules like ios_config (from the older ansible.netcommon collection) or for file-based configuration, but the cisco.ios.ios_config module expects configuration content via 'lines' or 'parents'.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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