The answer is to write an Ansible playbook using the ios_vlan module to configure VLANs on all switches. This is correct because the ios_vlan module is purpose-built for automating VLAN configuration on Cisco IOS devices, providing a declarative, agentless approach that abstracts the underlying CLI and ensures idempotent configuration across multiple switches—meaning the playbook will only apply changes if the desired VLAN state differs from the current state. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this question tests your understanding of network programmability best practices, specifically how to replace manual CLI commands with automation tools like Ansible. A common trap is to choose a method that relies on direct CLI scripting or manual SSH sessions, which violates the principle of idempotent, scalable automation. Remember the memory tip: “VLANs with Ansible are declarative, not imperative”—if you think “what VLANs should exist,” not “how to create them,” you’ll pick the ios_vlan module every time.
200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of cisco platforms and development. 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 engineer needs to automate the configuration of VLANs across 50 switches. Which approach best follows Cisco’s recommended practices for programmability?
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
✓
Write an Ansible playbook using the ios_vlan module to configure VLANs on all switches.
Option A is correct because Ansible's ios_vlan module is purpose-built for automating VLAN configuration on Cisco IOS devices, aligning with Cisco's recommended practices for programmability by using a declarative, agentless automation tool that abstracts the underlying CLI and ensures idempotent configuration across multiple switches.
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.
✓
Write an Ansible playbook using the ios_vlan module to configure VLANs on all switches.
Why this is correct
Ansible with idempotent modules is a best practice for network automation.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use a REST API on each switch to push the VLAN configuration individually.
Why it's wrong here
REST API is good but without idempotency and version control it is less recommended.
✗
Use a Python script that manually SSHes into each switch and applies CLI commands.
Why it's wrong here
Manual SSH scripting is error-prone and not scalable.
✗
Configure all VLANs via SNMP MIBs.
Why it's wrong here
SNMP is primarily for monitoring, not reliable for configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that REST APIs are universally available on all network devices, but in reality, many legacy switches lack REST API support, making Ansible (which uses SSH/CLI abstraction) the more practical and recommended choice for multi-vendor or mixed-platform environments.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ansible's ios_vlan module works by translating the desired VLAN state into Cisco IOS CLI commands (e.g., 'vlan <id>', 'name <name>') and applying them via SSH, but it leverages Ansible's idempotency to check the current state before making changes, reducing network disruption. In a real-world scenario, using Ansible with a group_vars file containing VLAN definitions allows the engineer to push consistent VLAN configurations across all 50 switches in a single playbook run, with built-in error handling and logging.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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: Write an Ansible playbook using the ios_vlan module to configure VLANs on all switches. — Option A is correct because Ansible's ios_vlan module is purpose-built for automating VLAN configuration on Cisco IOS devices, aligning with Cisco's recommended practices for programmability by using a declarative, agentless automation tool that abstracts the underlying CLI and ensures idempotent configuration across multiple switches.
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.
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Question Discussion
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