mediumMultiple Choice
350-401 Practice Question: Is deploying Cisco DNA Center in a large campus…
A network engineer is deploying Cisco DNA Center in a large campus network with 5000+ devices. After initial setup, the engineer notices that the Assurance module is not receiving telemetry data from many access switches. The switches are running IOS-XE 16.12 and are reachable via SNMP. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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 switches are not configured with NETCONF/YANG or telemetry streaming.
Cisco DNA Center Assurance relies on telemetry data collected via NETCONF/YANG or gRPC, not just SNMP. If the switches are not configured for telemetry, Assurance will not receive the necessary data. SNMP is used for inventory and basic monitoring, but not for the rich telemetry required by Assurance.
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 switches are not configured with NETCONF/YANG or telemetry streaming.
Why this is correct
Assurance relies on streaming telemetry pushed from devices, not SNMP polling. IOS-XE switches need NETCONF/YANG or model-driven telemetry configured; without it, DNA Center receives no health data even though the devices remain reachable and manageable.
- ✗
The DNA Center appliance is not licensed for the Assurance module.
Why it's wrong here
Assurance licensing governs feature entitlement, not telemetry transport; unlicensed appliances still collect data or block configuration. It is tempting because licensing gaps do disable features, but Assurance relies on streaming telemetry, which IOS-XE 16.12 devices must be configured to send.
- ✗
The switches are not running the correct IOS-XE version for DNA Center compatibility.
Why it's wrong here
IOS-XE 16.12 is a supported release for DNA Center Assurance, so the version is not the blocker. The real gap is that Assurance needs gRPC streaming telemetry enabled, not merely a compatible image. Version checking is the correct step when devices are unsupported for onboarding or software image management.
- ✗
The SNMP community string is incorrect on the switches.
Why it's wrong here
SNMP reachability already proves the community string works, so it cannot explain missing Assurance telemetry. DNA Center Assurance relies on streaming telemetry over gRPC, not SNMP polling. SNMP configuration is the right focus when device discovery or health polling fails, not when Assurance dashboards lack telemetry.
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SDN Controllers and Cisco ACI
Key term
Cisco DNA Center
A centralized network management and automation platform from Cisco that provides intent-based networking for easier configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of Cisco devices.
Key term
Cisco DNA Center Assurance
Cisco DNA Center Assurance is a network monitoring and analytics tool within Cisco's DNA Center platform that provides real-time visibility, proactive alerts, and historical insights into network health, performance, and user experience.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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