- A
Increase the global timeout value in the netmiko connection handler.
Why wrong: Incorrect because increasing the timeout may delay the failure but will not prevent the script from stopping when an exception occurs.
- B
Use the concurrent.futures module to run each connection in a separate thread.
Why wrong: Incorrect because multithreading does not automatically handle exceptions; a failure in one thread would still need to be caught, and the script may still stop if not handled.
- C
Wrap the connection and backup logic inside a try-except block within the for loop.
Correct because a try-except block catches the exception for the failing device and allows the loop to continue to the next device.
- D
Replace the for loop with a while loop that retries the connection three times before moving on.
Why wrong: Incorrect because a while loop with retries does not prevent the script from stopping if an unhandled exception occurs; it only adds retry logic.
350-401 Python for Network Automation Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of python for network 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 network engineer is writing a Python script to automate the backup of running configurations from a list of 50 Cisco IOS-XE devices. The script uses the netmiko library and a for loop to connect to each device, execute 'show run', and write the output to a file. After running the script, the engineer notices that the script fails on the 15th device with a timeout error, and the remaining devices are not processed. The engineer wants to ensure that if one device fails, the script continues with the next device. What is the best way to modify the script?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Wrap the connection and backup logic inside a try-except block within the for loop.
The correct answer uses a try-except block to catch exceptions and continue the loop. Option A is incorrect because removing the timeout will not prevent the script from stopping on failure. Option B is incorrect because multithreading adds complexity and does not inherently handle failures gracefully. Option D is incorrect because a while loop does not solve the issue of handling exceptions within the loop.
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.
- ✗
Increase the global timeout value in the netmiko connection handler.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because increasing the timeout may delay the failure but will not prevent the script from stopping when an exception occurs.
- ✗
Use the concurrent.futures module to run each connection in a separate thread.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because multithreading does not automatically handle exceptions; a failure in one thread would still need to be caught, and the script may still stop if not handled.
- ✓
Wrap the connection and backup logic inside a try-except block within the for loop.
Why this is correct
Correct because a try-except block catches the exception for the failing device and allows the loop to continue to the next device.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Replace the for loop with a while loop that retries the connection three times before moving on.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because a while loop with retries does not prevent the script from stopping if an unhandled exception occurs; it only adds retry logic.
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?
Python for Network Automation — This question tests Python for Network Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Wrap the connection and backup logic inside a try-except block within the for loop. — The correct answer uses a try-except block to catch exceptions and continue the loop. Option A is incorrect because removing the timeout will not prevent the script from stopping on failure. Option B is incorrect because multithreading adds complexity and does not inherently handle failures gracefully. Option D is incorrect because a while loop does not solve the issue of handling exceptions within the loop.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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