200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
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 network team uses an Ansible playbook to automate the configuration of multiple Cisco IOS XE devices. The playbook includes the 'ios_config' module. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the 'provider' parameter in the ios_config module?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It defines the connection details for the device.
The 'provider' parameter in the ios_config module is a dictionary that encapsulates the connection details required to access the network device, such as hostname, username, password, port, and transport protocol (e.g., SSH). This allows the module to establish a session with the Cisco IOS XE device before applying configuration changes. Without the provider, the module would not know how to reach or authenticate to the target device.
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.
✓
It defines the connection details for the device.
Why this is correct
Provider includes transport credentials.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It identifies the name of the playbook being used.
Why it's wrong here
Playbook name is outside the module.
✗
It specifies the configuration lines to be applied.
Why it's wrong here
Configuration lines are specified by 'lines' parameter, not provider.
✗
It sets the timeout for the module execution.
Why it's wrong here
Timeout can be set but not the primary purpose of provider.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the 'provider' parameter (connection details) and the 'lines' parameter (configuration commands), leading candidates to mistakenly think 'provider' specifies the configuration content.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the provider parameter in Ansible's ios_config module leverages the 'ansible.netcommon.cli' connection plugin, which uses SSH (default port 22) or Telnet (port 23) to interact with the device's CLI. The provider dictionary can also include optional keys like 'ssh_keyfile' for key-based authentication or 'authorize' and 'auth_pass' for privilege escalation, enabling secure, automated configuration of devices in environments with varying security policies.
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.
Infrastructure and Automation — This question tests Infrastructure and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It defines the connection details for the device. — The 'provider' parameter in the ios_config module is a dictionary that encapsulates the connection details required to access the network device, such as hostname, username, password, port, and transport protocol (e.g., SSH). This allows the module to establish a session with the Cisco IOS XE device before applying configuration changes. Without the provider, the module would not know how to reach or authenticate to the target device.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.