200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
When implementing network automation with Cisco devices, which THREE practices help ensure idempotency? (Select THREE)
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that incremental changes (like PATCH or partial configs) are idempotent, but the trap here is that only full-state replacement or state-checking tools guarantee the same result on every execution, regardless of the starting configuration.
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
✓
Performing a full configuration replace using RESTCONF PUT instead of PATCH.
A full configuration replace using RESTCONF PUT ensures idempotency by setting the entire configuration to a known state, regardless of the current state. Unlike PATCH, which applies incremental changes that may behave differently depending on the existing configuration, PUT overwrites the entire resource, guaranteeing the same result every time it is executed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Writing scripts that only push incremental configurations.
Why it's wrong here
Incremental pushes may not be idempotent without state awareness.
- ✗
Relying on manual rollback procedures after automation failures.
Why it's wrong here
Manual rollback does not ensure idempotent automation.
- ✓
Performing a full configuration replace using RESTCONF PUT instead of PATCH.
Why this is correct
PUT replaces the whole resource, making it idempotent; PATCH is not necessarily idempotent.
- ✓
Using Ansible modules that check the current state before making changes.
Why this is correct
State-checking modules ensure changes are only applied when needed.
- ✓
Using declarative automation tools like Puppet that enforce desired state.
Why this is correct
Declarative tools model the desired state and achieve it regardless of current state.
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