Quick Answer
The answer is wrong SSH username or password. This is the most likely cause because when Ansible authentication fails over SSH, it directly indicates that the credentials provided in the playbook—typically set via `ansible_user` and `ansible_ssh_pass` or `ansible_password`—do not match what the Cisco IOS device expects, resulting in a "Permission denied" or "Authentication failed" error. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Ansible manages SSH connectivity to network devices, often appearing in troubleshooting questions where the playbook syntax is correct but the credentials are mismatched. A common trap is assuming the error is due to network reachability or SSH key issues, but the explicit failure message points directly to credential mismatch. Remember the mnemonic: "Auth fails, check the user and pails" — meaning verify both `ansible_user` and the password variable.
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. Error: 'Failed to authenticate to device 192.168.1.100:22'
Refer to the exhibit. An Ansible playbook targeting a Cisco IOS device fails with this error. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit. Error: 'Failed to authenticate to device 192.168.1.100:22'
The device is unreachable
Why wrong: Unreachable would give a different error.
The playbook syntax is incorrect
Why wrong: Syntax errors would occur before connection.
The device is not running IOS
Why wrong: Would not cause auth failure.
Wrong SSH username or password
Authentication failure points to credentials.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Wrong SSH username or password
The error message in Ansible typically indicates an authentication failure when connecting to the Cisco IOS device via SSH. Option D is correct because the playbook likely specifies incorrect SSH credentials (username or password), preventing Ansible from authenticating with the device. Ansible uses the `ansible_user` and `ansible_ssh_pass` or `ansible_password` variables for SSH authentication, and a mismatch will cause a 'Authentication failed' or 'Permission denied' error.
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 device is unreachable
Why it's wrong here
Unreachable would give a different error.
The playbook syntax is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
Syntax errors would occur before connection.
The device is not running IOS
Why it's wrong here
Would not cause auth failure.
Wrong SSH username or password
Why this is correct
Authentication failure points to credentials.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between connectivity errors (unreachable) and authentication errors (wrong credentials), where candidates mistakenly attribute a failed SSH authentication to a network reachability issue.
Detailed technical explanation
Ansible's `ios_command` or `ios_config` modules use SSH (port 22 by default) to connect to Cisco IOS devices, relying on the `paramiko` or `libssh` library for transport. The authentication process involves sending the username and password via SSH protocol; if the credentials are incorrect, the SSH server returns an 'Authentication failed' message, which Ansible surfaces as a 'Failed to connect to the host' error with a specific authentication failure reason. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs when using an incorrect enable password or when the device has AAA authentication configured that differs from the playbook's credentials.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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
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Infrastructure and Automation practice questions
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Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 study guide
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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: Wrong SSH username or password — The error message in Ansible typically indicates an authentication failure when connecting to the Cisco IOS device via SSH. Option D is correct because the playbook likely specifies incorrect SSH credentials (username or password), preventing Ansible from authenticating with the device. Ansible uses the `ansible_user` and `ansible_ssh_pass` or `ansible_password` variables for SSH authentication, and a mismatch will cause a 'Authentication failed' or 'Permission denied' error.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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. You are a network automation engineer at a large enterprise. The network consists of 200 Cisco Catalyst switches distributed across five data centers. Each switch runs IOS-XE and supports NETCONF. Your team uses a centralized Ansible control node to manage configurations. Recently, the security team mandated that all management access must use SSH keys instead of passwords. You updated the Ansible inventory to use SSH keys and tested on a few switches successfully. However, when you run the playbook against all switches, about 30 switches fail with the error: 'Authentication failed.' You verify that the SSH public key is correctly deployed on those switches via the console. What is the most likely cause of the failure?
hardWhy C: SSH strictly requires private key files to have permissions no more permissive than 600 (owner read/write) or 640 (owner read/write, group read) on Unix-like systems. A permission of 644 allows group and others to read the key, which SSH interprets as insecure and refuses to use, causing 'Authentication failed' even though the public key is correctly deployed on the switches.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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