EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
A team is migrating from static inventory to dynamic inventory using a custom script. The script returns JSON with a group 'webservers' containing hosts. However, the playbook targeting 'webservers' fails with 'no hosts matched'. Which filter or plugin issue is most likely?
⚠ Common exam trap
Red Hat often tests the misconception that 'no hosts matched' is caused by a missing group or incorrect host targeting, when in reality it is a dynamic inventory protocol compliance issue—specifically the absence of the `_meta` key in the script output.
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 script output is missing the '_meta' key with 'hostvars'.
Dynamic inventory scripts must include a `_meta` key with `hostvars` in their JSON output for Ansible to properly resolve host variables and match hosts to groups. Without `_meta`, Ansible cannot associate host-specific variables (like `ansible_host`) with the hosts listed under `webservers`, causing the playbook to see no matched hosts even though the group exists.
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 uses 'hosts: all' but should use 'hosts: webservers'.
Why it's wrong here
The playbook already targets webservers, so this is not the issue.
- ✗
The script is not executable.
Why it's wrong here
If not executable, Ansible would report an error, not 'no hosts matched'.
- ✗
The 'ansible_host' variable is not set in hostvars.
Why it's wrong here
Missing ansible_host causes connection issues, but hosts would still be matched.
- ✓
The script output is missing the '_meta' key with 'hostvars'.
Why this is correct
Dynamic inventory scripts require _meta structure; without it, Ansible may not recognize hosts.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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