Match each network automation tool to its purpose.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Agentless automation using YAML playbooks
Agent-based configuration management using Puppet DSL
Agent-based using Ruby recipes
Agent-based with remote execution
Standard for network configuration and state data
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Ansible: Agentless automation tool that uses SSH and YAML playbooks
Correct matches: Ansible is agentless and uses SSH/YAML; Puppet uses client-server with DSL; Chef uses server and Ruby DSL; SaltStack uses master-minion and can be agentless. Common confusions involve mixing agentless and agent-based models.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Ansible: Agentless automation tool that uses SSH and YAML playbooks
Why this is correct
Ansible is agentless and uses SSH for connectivity, with playbooks written in YAML.
Puppet: Uses a client-server model with agents and Puppet DSL
Why this is correct
Puppet uses a master-agent architecture and its own declarative language (DSL).
Chef: Uses a central server and cookbooks written in Ruby DSL
Why this is correct
Chef employs a server-client model with cookbooks written in Ruby DSL.
SaltStack: Uses a master-minion architecture and can use SSH for agentless
Why this is correct
SaltStack uses a master-minion model and supports agentless operation via SSH.
Ansible: Uses a client-server model with agents and Puppet DSL
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes Puppet, not Ansible, which is agentless.
Puppet: Agentless automation tool using SSH and YAML playbooks
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect — this describes Ansible, not Puppet, which uses agents.
Go deeper
Learn chapter
Network Architecture Fundamentals
Key term
YAML for Network Config
YAML for Network Config is a human-readable data serialization language used to define, automate, and manage network device configurations in a structured text format.
Key term
Cisco DNA Center Automation
Cisco DNA Center Automation is a centralized software platform that simplifies network management by automatically configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting Cisco devices using policy-driven intent and software tools.
About these practice questions
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.