hardMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Is troubleshooting an issue where Cisco DNA…
A network engineer is troubleshooting an issue where Cisco DNA Center is not sending configuration changes to a group of switches. The engineer checks the Provisioning dashboard and sees that the devices are in 'Pending' state. The engineer has already created the intent (network profile) and assigned it to the site. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
350-401 often tests the misconception that assigning a network profile automatically deploys configurations; candidates must remember that provisioning is a separate, explicit action.
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
✓
The engineer has not executed the Provision workflow to deploy the configuration.
In Cisco DNA Center, after creating an intent (network profile) and assigning it to a site, the configuration is not automatically deployed to devices. The engineer must explicitly run the Provision workflow to push the configuration to the devices. The 'Pending' state indicates that the devices are awaiting provisioning.
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 engineer has not executed the Provision workflow to deploy the configuration.
Why this is correct
Devices remain in 'Pending' until the Provision workflow is explicitly run; creating and assigning the network profile only defines intent. Cisco DNA Center does not push configuration automatically on assignment, so the engineer must select the devices and execute Provision to deploy the configuration and clear the pending state.
- ✗
The devices are not reachable from DNA Center.
Why it's wrong here
Unreachable devices would prevent DNA Center from pushing configuration, but 'Pending' typically indicates the intent has not yet been provisioned to the device rather than a connectivity failure, which surfaces as unreachable or failed states. It is tempting because reachability is a frequent cause of provisioning problems.
- ✗
The DNA Center appliance is out of disk space.
Why it's wrong here
Disk exhaustion would affect the appliance broadly, not leave devices specifically in 'Pending' after intent assignment. It is tempting because infrastructure health is a common suspect. Pending status here points to the configuration not being generated or pushed, which relates to device reachability or provisioning prerequisites rather than storage capacity.
- ✗
The network profile contains an invalid configuration.
Why it's wrong here
An invalid network profile blocks intent creation or assignment, not device provisioning; the engineer already assigned it successfully. Pending state instead indicates the devices lack a valid software image or are unreachable, so DNA Center cannot push configuration. Network profiles are validated before assignment, making this cause unlikely here.
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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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