EX294 Manage inventories and credentials Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of manage inventories and credentials. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Error message from a job run:
```
fatal: [db1]: UNREACHABLE! => {
"changed": false,
"msg": "Failed to connect to the host via ssh: Permission denied (publickey,gssapi-keyex,gssapi-with-mic).",
"unreachable": true
}
```
The job template running against host db1 uses a machine credential with an SSH key. The key is correctly configured in Automation Controller. However, the job fails with the error shown. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Refer to the exhibit.
Error message from a job run:
```
fatal: [db1]: UNREACHABLE! => {
"changed": false,
"msg": "Failed to connect to the host via ssh: Permission denied (publickey,gssapi-keyex,gssapi-with-mic).",
"unreachable": true
}
```
A
The SSH public key corresponding to the private key is not installed on the target host
Permission denied (publickey) indicates the key is not accepted.
B
The vault password is incorrect
Why wrong: Vault errors would appear if vault-encrypted variables cannot be decrypted.
C
The SSH port is blocked by a firewall
Why wrong: That would give a 'connection timed out' or 'connection refused' error.
D
The host's SSH host key has changed and the known_hosts file is outdated
Why wrong: That would give a 'host key verification failed' error.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The SSH public key corresponding to the private key is not installed on the target host
The error indicates that Automation Controller cannot authenticate to host db1 using the SSH key. Since the key is correctly configured in the controller, the most likely cause is that the corresponding public key is not present in the target host's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file. SSH key-based authentication requires the private key on the client (controller) and the public key installed on the target host; without the public key, the server rejects the connection attempt.
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 SSH public key corresponding to the private key is not installed on the target host
Why this is correct
Permission denied (publickey) indicates the key is not accepted.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The vault password is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
Vault errors would appear if vault-encrypted variables cannot be decrypted.
✗
The SSH port is blocked by a firewall
Why it's wrong here
That would give a 'connection timed out' or 'connection refused' error.
✗
The host's SSH host key has changed and the known_hosts file is outdated
Why it's wrong here
That would give a 'host key verification failed' error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume the SSH key error is due to network or firewall issues, but the specific 'Permission denied (publickey)' message points directly to a missing or mismatched public key on the target host, not connectivity or host key verification.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH public key authentication works by the server using the public key in authorized_keys to encrypt a challenge; the client must decrypt it with the private key and return a proof. If the public key is missing, the server falls back to other auth methods (e.g., password) or fails with 'Permission denied (publickey)'. In Automation Controller, the machine credential stores the private key, and the job template must target a host where the corresponding public key is pre-installed, typically via ssh-copy-id or a provisioning playbook.
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.
Manage inventories and credentials — This question tests Manage inventories and credentials — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The SSH public key corresponding to the private key is not installed on the target host — The error indicates that Automation Controller cannot authenticate to host db1 using the SSH key. Since the key is correctly configured in the controller, the most likely cause is that the corresponding public key is not present in the target host's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys file. SSH key-based authentication requires the private key on the client (controller) and the public key installed on the target host; without the public key, the server rejects the connection attempt.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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