Question 1,135 of 2,015

Ansible Automation →mediumDrag & DropObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct order is: connect to device, retrieve running config, compare desired lines with running config, apply only missing or different lines, then save running config to startup if save=true. This flow ensures idempotency because the module first gathers the current device state, then performs a line-by-line diff against the desired configuration, and only pushes changes that are absent or mismatched—preventing redundant or disruptive re-applications. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this drag-and-drop task tests your understanding of how Ansible’s ios_config module avoids configuration drift and unnecessary network churn; a common trap is placing the save step before the comparison or applying all lines blindly. Remember the mnemonic “Connect, Collect, Compare, Commit, then Conditionally Save” to lock in the sequence.

350-401 Ansible Automation Practice Question

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.

Drag and drop the steps of cisco.ios.ios_config module idempotent apply flow into the correct order, from first to last.

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

Question 1mediumdrag order

Full question →

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

✓

Establish SSH connection to Cisco device

The cisco.ios.ios_config module first connects to the device; then, it retrieves the running configuration; next, it compares the desired config lines with the running config; after that, it applies only the lines that are missing or different; finally, it saves the configuration if the save parameter is set.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 350-401 question test?

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: Establish SSH connection to Cisco device — The cisco.ios.ios_config module first connects to the device; then, it retrieves the running configuration; next, it compares the desired config lines with the running config; after that, it applies only the lines that are missing or different; finally, it saves the configuration if the save parameter is set.

What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

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Same concept, more angles

1 more ways this is tested on 350-401

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. Drag and drop the steps of cisco.ios.ios_config module idempotent apply flow into the correct order, from first to last.

hard

✓ A.Connect to Cisco IOS device via SSH
✓ B.Retrieve current running configuration
✓ C.Compare desired config with running config
✓ D.Push only changed lines to device
✓ E.Save running config to startup config

Why A: The ios_config module first connects to the device, retrieves the running config, compares it with the desired config, applies only the necessary changes, and then saves the config if specified, ensuring idempotency.

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This 350-401 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-401 exam.