200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
An engineer needs to automate the deployment of VLAN configurations on a fleet of Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches running IOS-XE. The team uses Ansible Tower for automation. Which Ansible module should be used to push VLAN configuration idempotently?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between generic configuration modules (ios_config) and resource-specific modules (ios_vlan), trapping candidates who assume any module that can push VLAN commands is sufficient for idempotent VLAN management.
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
✓
ios_vlan
The ios_vlan module is purpose-built for idempotent VLAN management on Cisco IOS-XE devices. It ensures that a VLAN with the specified VLAN ID, name, and state (active/suspend) is present or absent without affecting other VLANs, making it the correct choice for automating VLAN deployment idempotently.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
ios_vlan
Why this is correct
The ios_vlan module manages VLANs on Cisco IOS and IOS-XE devices through the network_cli connection, pushing configuration idempotently by comparing desired VLAN definitions against the device's running state. It satisfies the Catalyst 9000 IOS-XE constraint directly, unlike generic modules or those targeting other network operating systems.
- ✗
ios_command
Why it's wrong here
ios_command only executes show commands and returns their output; it cannot change device configuration, so it cannot deploy VLANs at all. It is tempting for gathering current VLAN state before a change, but pushing configuration idempotently requires a module that manages VLAN resources declaratively.
- ✗
ios_config
Why it's wrong here
ios_config pushes raw CLI lines; it does not provide VLAN-specific idempotency or validation.
- ✗
ios_interface
Why it's wrong here
ios_interface manages Layer 2/3 attributes on physical or logical interfaces, not VLAN database entries, so it cannot create or reconcile VLAN definitions idempotently. It is tempting because interface configuration often carries VLAN membership, which is the correct use case when assigning switchports to existing VLANs rather than defining them.
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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.