200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
✓
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.
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
The provider parameter supplies the transport and authentication details the module needs to reach the device, such as host, username, password and connection type. Without it, ios_config cannot establish the session required to push configuration changes to the IOS XE device.
- ✗
It identifies the name of the playbook being used.
Why it's wrong here
The playbook name is metadata held by Ansible's run context; 'provider' instead carries the connection dictionary for the target device. It is tempting because both relate to identifying what is being executed, and would be correct if the question asked how ios_config authenticates to a Cisco IOS XE host.
- ✗
It specifies the configuration lines to be applied.
Why it's wrong here
Configuration lines are passed to ios_config through the 'lines' argument, not 'provider'. The 'provider' parameter is tempting because it groups connection details, and would be the correct choice if the question asked how to supply host, username, password and transport for the device session.
- ✗
It sets the timeout for the module execution.
Why it's wrong here
Execution timeouts are governed by the module's 'timeout' or persistent connection settings, not 'provider'. The 'provider' parameter is tempting because it bundles transport options, and would be the correct choice if the question asked how to pass host, username, password and ssh port to ios_config.
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