350-401 Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is using Cisco DNA Center's Intent API to automate the configuration of a new branch site. The engineer needs to create a new site hierarchy, assign devices to the site, and apply a template that configures VLANs and QoS. The engineer writes a Python script that calls the DNA Center APIs in sequence. After running the script, the site is created, and devices are assigned, but the template application fails with an error indicating that the device is not provisioned. What is the most likely missing step in the automation workflow?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that assigning a device to a site is sufficient for template application, when provisioning is a separate required step.
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
✓
The engineer must provision the devices to the site using the DNA Center provisioning API before applying templates.
Cisco DNA Center requires devices to be provisioned to a site before templates can be applied. Provisioning configures the device with the necessary management settings and associates it with the site. The Intent API provides a provisioning endpoint that must be called after assigning devices to the site. Without this step, template application fails. The other options are either for different workflows (fabric, discovery) or not prerequisites.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The engineer must provision the devices to the site using the DNA Center provisioning API before applying templates.
Why this is correct
In Cisco DNA Center, before a template can be applied to a device, the device must be provisioned to a site. Provisioning involves assigning the device to a site and configuring management IP, credentials, and other parameters. The Intent API has a provisioning endpoint that must be called after device assignment. Without provisioning, template application fails with an error indicating the device is not provisioned. This is the missing step.
- ✗
The engineer must create a network profile that includes the template before assigning devices to the site.
Why it's wrong here
Network profiles are used to define settings for devices based on site type, but they are not a prerequisite for template application. Templates are applied directly to devices after provisioning. While network profiles can include templates, they are not required for the workflow described. The error points to provisioning, not profile creation.
- ✗
The engineer must synchronize the devices with DNA Center by triggering a discovery job after site assignment.
Why it's wrong here
Discovery is used to find and add devices to DNA Center inventory. Once devices are in inventory and assigned to a site, discovery is not needed again. The error is about provisioning, not discovery. Synchronization might be needed for inventory updates, but it does not provision devices for template application.
- ✗
The engineer must first add the devices to a fabric domain before applying templates.
Why it's wrong here
Adding devices to a fabric domain is required for SD-Access deployments, but it is not a prerequisite for applying templates in general. Templates can be applied to devices that are not part of a fabric. The error specifically mentions provisioning, which is a separate step. Therefore, fabric domain addition is not the missing step in this scenario.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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