350-401 Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is using the YANG Suite tool to explore YANG models supported by a Cisco IOS XE device. The engineer wants to retrieve the list of available YANG modules from the device using NETCONF. Which NETCONF operation should be used to obtain this information?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the retrieval of a specific YANG schema with listing all available modules, or using <get-config> for operational data.
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
✓
<get> with a filter for ietf-yang-library:modules-state
To retrieve the list of YANG modules supported by a Cisco IOS XE device, the engineer should use the <get> operation with a filter for 'ietf-yang-library:modules-state'. This data is operational and provided by the ietf-yang-library module. The <get-schema> operation retrieves a specific schema, while <get-config> and <edit-config> are for configuration data. Thus, the correct operation is <get> with the appropriate filter.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
<get-schema>
Why it's wrong here
<get-schema> is a NETCONF operation used to retrieve a specific YANG schema, identified by its name and version, from the device. It does not list all available modules. To list modules, a different operation is used. Therefore, this is not the correct operation for the engineer's goal.
- ✓
<get> with a filter for ietf-yang-library:modules-state
Why this is correct
The ietf-yang-library YANG module defines a data model for listing YANG modules supported by a device. By using the <get> operation with a subtree filter targeting 'ietf-yang-library:modules-state', the engineer can retrieve the list of all available YANG modules. This is the standard method for discovering YANG models via NETCONF.
- ✗
<get-config> with a filter for ietf-netconf-monitoring:netconf-state
Why it's wrong here
<get-config> retrieves configuration data, not operational state. The ietf-netconf-monitoring module contains operational state about NETCONF sessions, not YANG module lists. The modules-state data is operational, not configuration, so <get-config> cannot retrieve it. Thus, this option is incorrect.
- ✗
<edit-config> to add a new module
Why it's wrong here
<edit-config> is used to modify configuration data. It cannot be used to retrieve a list of modules. The engineer wants to read information, not change it. Using <edit-config> would attempt to alter the device configuration, which is not desired. Hence, this operation is wrong for the 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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