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 interface
hosts: routers
gather_facts: no
tasks:
- name: Set IP address
ios_config:
lines:
- ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
- no shutdown
parents: interface GigabitEthernet0/1
What is the effect of this playbook?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It configures IP address 192.168.1.1/24 on interface GigabitEthernet0/1 and enables it.
The playbook uses the ios_config module to push configuration lines to a Cisco IOS device. The 'parents' parameter specifies the parent configuration mode (interface GigabitEthernet0/1), so the lines are applied under that interface. The lines configure an IP address and enable the interface.
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.
✓
It configures IP address 192.168.1.1/24 on interface GigabitEthernet0/1 and enables it.
Why this is correct
Correct. The lines are applied under the specified interface, setting the IP and no shutdown.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
It configures the IP address globally, not under the interface.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The 'parents' parameter places the lines under the interface configuration mode.
✗
It only configures the IP address; no shutdown is ignored because it is not a valid command.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'no shutdown' is a valid interface command in IOS.
✗
It fails because 'parents' cannot be used with 'lines' in ios_config.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'parents' is specifically used to specify the parent configuration block for the lines.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. 'no shutdown' is a valid interface command in IOS.
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 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. Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access. 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.
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: It configures IP address 192.168.1.1/24 on interface GigabitEthernet0/1 and enables it. — The playbook uses the ios_config module to push configuration lines to a Cisco IOS device. The 'parents' parameter specifies the parent configuration mode (interface GigabitEthernet0/1), so the lines are applied under that interface. The lines configure an IP address and enable the interface.
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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