- A
The playbook continues with the next batch.
Why wrong: any_errors_fatal overrides default continue behavior.
- B
The playbook aborts and no further batches run.
any_errors_fatal stops execution on first failure.
- C
The playbook marks the batch as unreachable and continues.
Why wrong: any_errors_fatal does not mark as unreachable; it fails.
- D
The playbook retries the failed hosts.
Why wrong: No automatic retry is configured.
Question 29 of 528
Ansible serial and any_errors_fatal Interaction
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of implement advanced 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 playbook uses serial: 2 and sets any_errors_fatal: true. The first batch of 2 hosts both fail. What happens?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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 playbook aborts and no further batches run.
When `any_errors_fatal: true` is set and a batch of hosts fails, Ansible immediately aborts the entire playbook run for all remaining hosts, regardless of the `serial` setting. Since the first batch of 2 hosts both fail, no further batches are executed. This behavior is designed to prevent cascading failures in critical deployments.
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 playbook continues with the next batch.
Why it's wrong here
any_errors_fatal overrides default continue behavior.
- ✓
The playbook aborts and no further batches run.
Why this is correct
any_errors_fatal stops execution on first failure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The playbook marks the batch as unreachable and continues.
Why it's wrong here
any_errors_fatal does not mark as unreachable; it fails.
- ✗
The playbook retries the failed hosts.
Why it's wrong here
No automatic retry is configured.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
In Red Hat RHCE exams, candidates are often tested on the interaction between `serial` and `any_errors_fatal`, trapping those who assume `serial` batches always run independently, forgetting that `any_errors_fatal` forces a global abort on the first failure.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `any_errors_fatal: true` sets a global flag that, upon any task failure, causes Ansible to immediately send a `SIGTERM` to all pending host connections and skip all remaining plays and tasks. This is distinct from `max_fail_percentage`, which only aborts when a threshold of hosts fails. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for rolling updates where a single failure indicates a systemic issue (e.g., a bad package version) that must halt the entire deployment to avoid partial updates.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 EX294 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Implement advanced Ansible automation — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
Implement advanced Ansible automation — This question tests Implement advanced Ansible automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The playbook aborts and no further batches run. — When `any_errors_fatal: true` is set and a batch of hosts fails, Ansible immediately aborts the entire playbook run for all remaining hosts, regardless of the `serial` setting. Since the first batch of 2 hosts both fail, no further batches are executed. This behavior is designed to prevent cascading failures in critical deployments.
What should I do if I get this EX294 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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