This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ansible automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A network engineer writes the following Ansible playbook to configure an interface on a Cisco IOS-XE device:
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The playbook will fail because the 'cisco.ios.ios_config' module requires the 'connection: network_cli' parameter in the play or inventory.
The playbook uses the cisco.ios.ios_config module but does not specify the provider or connection details. In Ansible 2.9+, the connection type must be set to 'network_cli' or the module will fail. The correct answer identifies this missing connection parameter.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 playbook will fail because the 'cisco.ios.ios_config' module requires the 'connection: network_cli' parameter in the play or inventory.
Why this is correct
Without setting connection to network_cli, Ansible defaults to 'smart' which may not work for network devices.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The playbook will work correctly because the module automatically detects the device type.
Why it's wrong here
The module does not auto-detect; the connection type must be explicitly set.
✗
The playbook will fail because 'cisco.ios.ios_config' is not a valid module name.
Why it's wrong here
The module name is valid; the issue is the missing connection parameter.
✗
The playbook will work but only if the device is running IOS-XE 16.9 or later.
Why it's wrong here
The IOS version does not affect the need for the connection parameter.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 350-401 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Ansible Automation — This question tests Ansible Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The playbook will fail because the 'cisco.ios.ios_config' module requires the 'connection: network_cli' parameter in the play or inventory. — The playbook uses the cisco.ios.ios_config module but does not specify the provider or connection details. In Ansible 2.9+, the connection type must be set to 'network_cli' or the module will fail. The correct answer identifies this missing connection parameter.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Identify which 350-401 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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