This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ansible automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Given the following Ansible playbook snippet:
---
- name: Configure OSPF
hosts: routers
gather_facts: no
tasks:
- name: OSPF config
ios_config:
lines:
- router ospf 1
- network 10.0.0.0 0.255.255.255 area 0
parents: router ospf 1
What is wrong with this playbook?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'parents' parameter should not be used with 'router ospf 1' in lines; it causes a configuration error.
The playbook attempts to enter OSPF router configuration mode by using 'parents: router ospf 1', but the 'lines' also include 'router ospf 1' which would try to enter the mode again from within the mode, causing an error. The correct approach is to either use 'parents' or include the router command in 'lines', but not both.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 'parents' parameter should not be used with 'router ospf 1' in lines; it causes a configuration error.
Why this is correct
Correct. The 'parents' parameter already enters the mode, so the 'router ospf 1' line inside lines is redundant and causes an error.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The network statement uses a wildcard mask instead of subnet mask, which is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. OSPF uses wildcard masks, so 0.255.255.255 is correct.
✗
The OSPF process ID must be 1, but it can be any number.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The process ID can be any number; 1 is fine.
✗
There is no error; the playbook works correctly.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The redundant 'router ospf 1' line causes a configuration error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-401 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Ansible Automation — This question tests Ansible Automation — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The 'parents' parameter should not be used with 'router ospf 1' in lines; it causes a configuration error. — The playbook attempts to enter OSPF router configuration mode by using 'parents: router ospf 1', but the 'lines' also include 'router ospf 1' which would try to enter the mode again from within the mode, causing an error. The correct approach is to either use 'parents' or include the router command in 'lines', but not both.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 350-401 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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