Quick Answer
The correct answer is that idempotency in network automation means running a script once produces the same result as running it multiple times. This is critical because idempotent operations ensure that repeated executions—whether from retries, timeouts, or human error—do not create unintended side effects like duplicate VLANs or conflicting interface configurations. For the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this concept tests your understanding of safe automation design, often appearing in questions about REST API methods (e.g., PUT vs. POST) or configuration management tools like Ansible. A common trap is confusing idempotency with mere repeatability; the key is that the *final state* must be identical, not just the operation itself. Remember the memory tip: “One run or ten, the state stays the same—idempotency is the automation game.”
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.
In a network automation workflow, a developer needs to ensure idempotency. What does idempotency mean in this context?
The script uses a single API call
Why wrong: Not related.
Running the script once produces the same result as running it multiple times
This is the definition of idempotency.
The script can recover from failures
Why wrong: That's fault tolerance.
The script can run on multiple devices simultaneously
Why wrong: That's parallelism.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Running the script once produces the same result as running it multiple times
Idempotency in network automation means that executing an operation multiple times results in the same network state as executing it once. For example, using a REST API PUT request to set a VLAN configuration will leave the device in the same state whether the request is sent once or repeatedly, because PUT is inherently idempotent. This prevents unintended side effects like duplicate VLANs or interface misconfigurations when a script is retried due to network failures or timeouts.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The script uses a single API call
Why it's wrong here
Not related.
Running the script once produces the same result as running it multiple times
Why this is correct
This is the definition of idempotency.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The script can recover from failures
Why it's wrong here
That's fault tolerance.
The script can run on multiple devices simultaneously
Why it's wrong here
That's parallelism.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests idempotency by pairing it with failure recovery or concurrency, hoping candidates confuse idempotency with fault tolerance or parallel execution.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, idempotency relies on HTTP methods like PUT and DELETE (as defined in RFC 7231) to ensure that repeated requests produce the same server state. In network automation with tools like Ansible, idempotent modules (e.g., ios_config) check the current device state before applying changes, skipping the task if the desired state already exists. A real-world scenario is a CI/CD pipeline that retries a failed Ansible playbook; without idempotency, a partial VLAN configuration could be duplicated, causing network instability.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
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FAQ
Infrastructure and Automation — This question tests Infrastructure and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Running the script once produces the same result as running it multiple times — Idempotency in network automation means that executing an operation multiple times results in the same network state as executing it once. For example, using a REST API PUT request to set a VLAN configuration will leave the device in the same state whether the request is sent once or repeatedly, because PUT is inherently idempotent. This prevents unintended side effects like duplicate VLANs or interface misconfigurations when a script is retried due to network failures or timeouts.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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