VA-003 Utilize Vault CLI and API Practice Question
A Vault cluster has a performance secondary cluster replicating from a primary. An administrator needs to generate a one-time password (OTP) for an SSH target. They are on the secondary cluster. They run `vault write ssh/otp/otp_role ip=10.0.0.1 username=admin`. What is the expected behavior?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the misconception that performance secondary clusters are entirely read-only, but the trap here is that local mounts (like the SSH secret engine) are writable on the secondary, while only replicated mounts are read-only.
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 request succeeds because the SSH secret engine is a local mount that exists on the secondary
The SSH secret engine is a local mount, meaning it is not replicated from the primary to the performance secondary cluster. Local mounts exist independently on each cluster, so the secondary can write data to its own local SSH engine. The `vault write ssh/otp/otp_role` command is syntactically correct and will succeed on the secondary as long as the role and engine are configured locally.
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 request fails because the CLI command syntax is wrong
Why it's wrong here
The syntax is correct.
- ✗
The request fails because secondary clusters cannot write any data
Why it's wrong here
Secondary clusters can write to local mounts.
- ✓
The request succeeds because the SSH secret engine is a local mount that exists on the secondary
Why this is correct
SSH secret engine is typically local, so it works on the secondary.
- ✗
The request fails because the SSH secret engine must be replicated to the secondary
Why it's wrong here
Replication is not required for local mounts.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This VA-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp 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 VA-003 exam.