The answer is that the script lacks exception handling for authentication or connection failures, which can cause it to crash. Without try-except blocks around the ConnectHandler or send_command calls, any network issue—like a wrong password, unreachable IP, or timeout—will raise an unhandled exception and abruptly terminate the script. This is a critical oversight in production automation because Netmiko scripts must gracefully handle device unavailability or credential errors to avoid silent failures. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding of Python error handling within network automation, often appearing as a scenario where a script works in a lab but fails in the field. A common trap is focusing only on the command output logic while ignoring the connection phase. Remember the mnemonic: **Catch before you Connect**—always wrap your Netmiko connection and enable operations in try-except blocks to handle authentication and timeout exceptions.
350-401 Ansible Automation Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of ansible automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A Python script using Netmiko is written to send a command to a Cisco router:
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The script lacks exception handling for authentication or connection failures, which can cause the script to crash.
The script does not handle authentication failures or connection timeouts. If the device is unreachable or credentials are wrong, the script will throw an unhandled exception and crash. The correct answer identifies the lack of exception handling.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 script will fail because 'device_type' should be 'cisco_ios_telnet' for telnet connections.
Why it's wrong here
The device_type 'cisco_ios' is correct for SSH; the issue is not the device type.
✗
The script will work correctly without any issues.
Why it's wrong here
Missing exception handling can cause crashes; it is not robust.
✗
The script will fail because 'secret' is misspelled; it should be 'enable_secret'.
Why it's wrong here
The correct parameter name is 'secret' for the enable password.
✓
The script lacks exception handling for authentication or connection failures, which can cause the script to crash.
Why this is correct
Netmiko can raise exceptions like AuthenticationException or NetmikoTimeoutException; these should be caught.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
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.
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: The script lacks exception handling for authentication or connection failures, which can cause the script to crash. — The script does not handle authentication failures or connection timeouts. If the device is unreachable or credentials are wrong, the script will throw an unhandled exception and crash. The correct answer identifies the lack of exception handling.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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