The correct first action is to compare the Git repository’s YAML definitions with the actual switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, then correct any discrepancies. This is because the Git repository serves as the authoritative source of truth for network automation, and any drift between this version-controlled state and the live environment must be identified before making changes. In Infrastructure as Code, the Git source of truth defines the desired network state, so mismatches between VLAN definitions on Nexus switches and AWS VPC subnets indicate configuration drift that should be resolved by reconciling all environments back to the YAML files. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Git-driven network automation and the principle that the source of truth should drive all remediation, not ad-hoc fixes. A common trap is to immediately reconfigure the switches or AWS, which bypasses the version-controlled baseline. Memory tip: “Git first, fix the drift” — always validate the source of truth before touching any device.
200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
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.
A DevOps team manages a hybrid cloud environment with on-premises Cisco Nexus switches and AWS VPCs using Terraform. They have a configuration management tool that pushes VLAN and interface configurations to the Nexus switches. Recently, they noticed that after a Terraform run that updates the AWS VPC subnets, some on-premises switches lose connectivity to the cloud. The team suspects a mismatch between the VLAN configurations on the Nexus switches and the AWS VPC subnets. They have a centralized source of truth stored in a Git repository containing YAML files for network definitions. Which action should the team take first to resolve the issue and prevent future occurrences?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Compare the Git repository's YAML definitions with the actual switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, then correct any discrepancies.
Option C is correct because the team's centralized source of truth in Git (YAML files) should be the authoritative reference for network definitions. By comparing these definitions against both the actual Nexus switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, the team can identify and correct any drift or mismatch. This aligns with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) best practices, ensuring that all environments are synchronized from a single, version-controlled source before making any changes.
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.
✗
Restore the Nexus switch configurations from the most recent backup.
Why it's wrong here
Backup may contain the same mismatch.
✗
Modify the Terraform scripts to automatically update Nexus switches when AWS VPC subnets change.
Why it's wrong here
Automation should be built on a reliable source of truth.
✓
Compare the Git repository's YAML definitions with the actual switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, then correct any discrepancies.
Why this is correct
The source of truth should be verified first.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Manually reconfigure the VLANs on the Nexus switches to match the AWS VPC subnets.
Why it's wrong here
Manual changes are error-prone and not sustainable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume the immediate fix is to restore or manually reconfigure the switches (options A or D), rather than first validating the source of truth (Git) to identify the root cause of the mismatch, which is a core DevOps principle of treating infrastructure as code.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the mismatch likely stems from VLAN-to-subnet mappings defined in the Nexus switch configurations (e.g., using `vlan` and `interface vlan` commands) that do not align with the CIDR blocks of AWS VPC subnets. The Git repository's YAML files should define these mappings in a structured format (e.g., YAML dictionaries mapping VLAN IDs to subnet CIDRs). Comparing these definitions against the actual switch configs (via show running-config) and AWS VPC subnets (via AWS CLI or Terraform state) allows the team to detect drift and use the configuration management tool (e.g., Ansible or NAPALM) to reconcile the Nexus switches to the desired state defined in Git.
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.
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: Compare the Git repository's YAML definitions with the actual switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, then correct any discrepancies. — Option C is correct because the team's centralized source of truth in Git (YAML files) should be the authoritative reference for network definitions. By comparing these definitions against both the actual Nexus switch configurations and AWS VPC subnets, the team can identify and correct any drift or mismatch. This aligns with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) best practices, ensuring that all environments are synchronized from a single, version-controlled source before making any changes.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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