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200-901 Practice Question: Is a best practice for version controlling large…
Which of the following is a best practice for version controlling large binary files (e.g., network device firmware images) in a Git repository?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that Git LFS is the universal solution for large files, but the 200-901 exam expects you to recognize that for immutable, externally-managed artifacts like firmware images, a separate artifact repository with metadata references is the recommended best practice over LFS.
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
✓
Avoid storing binary files; use a separate artifact repository and reference the version in metadata
Git is designed for text-based source code with frequent diffs, not large binary files. Storing firmware images directly bloats the repository, slows clones and fetches, and defeats Git's delta compression. Best practice is to use a dedicated artifact repository (e.g., Nexus, Artifactory, or an S3 bucket) and store only a metadata reference (e.g., URL + checksum) in Git, keeping the repository lean and the binary lifecycle managed separately.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Avoid storing binary files; use a separate artifact repository and reference the version in metadata
Why this is correct
This keeps the Git repository lean and uses appropriate tools for binary storage.
- ✗
Use Git submodules to reference external storage
Why it's wrong here
Submodules are for nested repositories, not for binary artifact management.
- ✗
Compress them and commit as usual
Why it's wrong here
This increases repository size and causes slow clones.
- ✗
Store them directly in the repository with LFS (Large File Storage)
Why it's wrong here
LFS can help but still stores pointers in Git; a dedicated artifact repository is more standard.
Quick reference
AWS S3 Storage Class Comparison
| Storage Class | Min Duration | Retrieval | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3 Standard | None | Immediate | Frequently accessed data |
| S3 Standard-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Infrequent access, rapid retrieval |
| S3 One Zone-IA | 30 days | Immediate | Non-critical infrequent data |
| S3 Intelligent-Tiering | None | Immediate–hours | Unknown or changing access patterns |
| S3 Glacier Instant | 90 days | Milliseconds | Archive with instant retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Flexible | 90 days | Minutes–hours | Archive, flexible retrieval |
| S3 Glacier Deep Archive | 180 days | Hours | Long-term compliance archive |
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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.