The answer is to set `ignore_errors: yes` on the task using the `ios_config` module. This configuration tells Ansible to continue executing the playbook for remaining hosts even if a task fails on one switch, which directly addresses the need for Ansible playbook error handling for network automation when a device becomes unreachable. On the ENCOR 350-401 exam, this tests your understanding of task-level error control versus play-level directives like `max_fail_percentage`, which stops execution once a threshold of failures is exceeded. A common trap is confusing `ignore_errors` with `serial` (which controls batch size) or `gather_facts` (which is unrelated to error handling). Remember the memory tip: "Ignore the failure, not the host"—`ignore_errors` lets the playbook proceed past a failed task, while `max_fail_percentage` sets a limit on how many failures you’ll tolerate before stopping entirely.
350-401 Python for Network Automation Practice Question
This 350-401 practice question tests your understanding of python for network automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 automating the deployment of a new VLAN configuration across 100 Cisco IOS-XE switches using Ansible. The engineer writes a playbook that uses the 'ios_config' module. The playbook runs, but the engineer notices that the configuration is applied to only 50 switches before the playbook stops with an error. The error message indicates that one switch is unreachable. The engineer wants to ensure that the playbook continues with the remaining switches even if some are unreachable. What Ansible configuration should the engineer use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set 'ignore_errors: yes' on the task that configures the VLAN.
The correct answer is to set 'ignore_errors: yes' on the task or use 'max_fail_percentage'. Option A is incorrect because increasing the timeout does not prevent the playbook from stopping. Option B is incorrect because 'gather_facts: no' is unrelated. Option D is incorrect because 'serial' controls batch size, not error handling.
Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set 'timeout: 60' in the playbook to allow more time for connections.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because this only increases the timeout; the playbook will still stop on failure.
✗
Set 'gather_facts: no' to speed up the playbook and avoid timeouts.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because this does not handle unreachable hosts.
✓
Set 'ignore_errors: yes' on the task that configures the VLAN.
Why this is correct
Correct because this tells Ansible to continue even if the task fails on a host.
Related concept
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
✗
Set 'serial: 10' to run the playbook on 10 switches at a time.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect because this controls parallelism, not error handling.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need
A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.
TExam Day Tips
→Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
→Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
→Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.
Key takeaway
A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 350-401 question in full detail.
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
Python for Network Automation — This question tests Python for Network Automation — Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set 'ignore_errors: yes' on the task that configures the VLAN. — The correct answer is to set 'ignore_errors: yes' on the task or use 'max_fail_percentage'. Option A is incorrect because increasing the timeout does not prevent the playbook from stopping. Option B is incorrect because 'gather_facts: no' is unrelated. Option D is incorrect because 'serial' controls batch size, not error handling.
What should I do if I get this 350-401 question wrong?
Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 350-401 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
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