easyMultiple Choice
200-901 Practice Question: Which data serialization format is most commonly…
Which data serialization format is most commonly used for configuration files in Cisco automation tools like Ansible?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests YAML vs. XML to catch candidates who assume XML is the default for all network automation, but YAML is the standard for Ansible due to its simplicity and native support in the toolchain.
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
✓
YAML
YAML is the most commonly used data serialization format for configuration files in Cisco automation tools like Ansible because it is human-readable, supports complex data structures (lists, dictionaries), and is natively parsed by Ansible playbooks. Cisco's automation solutions, including those for network devices, rely on YAML for defining tasks, variables, and inventory files due to its minimal syntax and compatibility with Jinja2 templating.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
CSV
Why it's wrong here
CSV stores flat tabular rows and cannot represent the nested key-value hierarchies Ansible playbooks and inventories require. YAML is the format those tools parse for configuration. CSV suits exporting simple record sets, such as inventory spreadsheets, not structured automation definitions.
- ✓
YAML
Why this is correct
YAML's human-readable, indentation-based structure makes it the standard for Ansible playbooks and configuration files, satisfying the requirement for a serialisation format suited to automation tooling. JSON and XML are supported but less commonly used for Ansible configuration.
- ✗
HTML
Why it's wrong here
HTML is a markup language for structuring web pages, not a data serialisation format, so Ansible cannot parse it into variables. It tempts because YAML and HTML both appear in web tooling, but HTML defines document presentation, whereas Ansible playbooks and inventory require YAML's key-value structure.
- ✗
XML
Why it's wrong here
XML is a serialisation format, but Ansible playbooks, inventory files and Cisco automation modules use YAML, not XML. XML tempts because NETCONF and some Cisco model-driven interfaces return XML, making it correct there, yet Ansible's own configuration files demand YAML syntax.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-901 exam.