- A
IaC eliminates the need for manual review of configuration changes before deployment.
Why wrong: Manual review is still often part of the process for safety.
- B
IaC requires that all network devices be replaced with software-based equivalents.
Why wrong: IaC manages existing hardware, not replaces it.
- C
IaC is only applicable to virtual network functions, not physical devices.
Why wrong: Physical devices can be managed via IaC using APIs or SSH.
- D
IaC tools use declarative or imperative models to define the desired state of network infrastructure.
IaC can be declarative (e.g., Terraform) or imperative (e.g., Ansible).
- E
IaC allows network configurations to be stored in version control and tested before deployment.
Version control and CI/CD pipelines are key benefits.
Quick Answer
The answer is that IaC allows network configurations to be stored in version control and tested before deployment. This is correct because Infrastructure as Code treats network state as machine-readable definition files—whether declarative (desired end state) or imperative (step-by-step)—which can be committed to Git, reviewed, and validated in a staging environment before touching production. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this characteristic tests your understanding of how tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Cisco NSO enforce consistency and prevent configuration drift. A common trap is confusing IaC with simple scripting: IaC’s key differentiator is its repeatability through version-controlled, testable templates, not just automation. Remember the memory tip “Version, Test, Repeat”—if a solution lacks version control or pre-deployment testing, it is not true IaC.
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.
Which TWO statements accurately describe characteristics of infrastructure as code (IaC) in network automation?
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
IaC tools use declarative or imperative models to define the desired state of network infrastructure.
Option D is correct because Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Ansible, Terraform, and Cisco NSO allow network engineers to define the desired state of infrastructure using either declarative (what the end state should be) or imperative (step-by-step instructions) models. This abstraction enables consistent, repeatable deployments and reduces configuration drift across the network.
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.
- ✗
IaC eliminates the need for manual review of configuration changes before deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Manual review is still often part of the process for safety.
- ✗
IaC requires that all network devices be replaced with software-based equivalents.
Why it's wrong here
IaC manages existing hardware, not replaces it.
- ✗
IaC is only applicable to virtual network functions, not physical devices.
Why it's wrong here
Physical devices can be managed via IaC using APIs or SSH.
- ✓
IaC tools use declarative or imperative models to define the desired state of network infrastructure.
Why this is correct
IaC can be declarative (e.g., Terraform) or imperative (e.g., Ansible).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
IaC allows network configurations to be stored in version control and tested before deployment.
Why this is correct
Version control and CI/CD pipelines are key benefits.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that IaC is only for virtual or cloud environments, when in fact it is designed to manage any programmable network device, including physical hardware, via standard interfaces like NETCONF/RESTCONF.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, IaC tools translate high-level configuration models (e.g., YANG data models) into device-specific CLI or API calls, often using idempotent operations to ensure the actual state matches the desired state. In a real-world scenario, a team might use Terraform with the Cisco IOS provider to manage VLANs across hundreds of physical switches, storing the configuration in Git and triggering automated tests (e.g., batfish validation) before any change reaches production.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Infrastructure and Automation practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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All 200-901 questions
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Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 study guide
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200-901 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
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: IaC tools use declarative or imperative models to define the desired state of network infrastructure. — Option D is correct because Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Ansible, Terraform, and Cisco NSO allow network engineers to define the desired state of infrastructure using either declarative (what the end state should be) or imperative (step-by-step instructions) models. This abstraction enables consistent, repeatable deployments and reduces configuration drift across the network.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 200-901
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which TWO of the following are characteristics of a declarative automation model? (Select exactly 2.)
medium- A.It requires procedural scripts
- ✓ B.You specify the desired end state
- C.Idempotency is not a concern
- ✓ D.The tool handles ordering and dependencies
- E.You specify the exact steps to achieve the state
Why B: In a declarative automation model, you specify the desired end state of the system, not the steps to achieve it. This is a core characteristic because the automation tool (e.g., Ansible, Terraform, Puppet) interprets the desired state and determines the necessary actions to reach it, making option B correct.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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