EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of transform data with filters and plugins. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
[defaults]
filter_plugins = /path/to/custom_filters
```
What is the effect of the `filter_plugins` setting in `ansible.cfg`?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It replaces the default search path for filter plugins with the specified directory.
In Ansible, the `filter_plugins` setting in `ansible.cfg` specifies a directory that replaces the default search path for filter plugins. This means Ansible will look only in the specified directory for filter plugins, ignoring the default locations such as `~/.ansible/plugins/filter` or the `filter_plugins` directory relative to the playbook. This is a configuration override, not an addition.
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.
✗
It sets the directory for filter plugins but only for the current playbook.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; the setting applies globally in ansible.cfg.
✗
It configures the path for lookup plugins, not filter plugins.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; it specifically affects filter plugins.
✓
It replaces the default search path for filter plugins with the specified directory.
Why this is correct
Correct; Ansible will only search in the custom path.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It adds the directory to the default search path for filter plugins.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; it replaces the default path.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'replaces' with 'adds to' (option D), not realizing that Ansible's `filter_plugins` setting is an override, not an append, which is a common pattern in Ansible configuration settings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Ansible's plugin loader uses a list of directories to search for plugins, and the `filter_plugins` setting overrides the default list entirely. This is similar to how `library` or `roles_path` work in `ansible.cfg`. A real-world scenario is when you have custom filter plugins in a shared repository and want to ensure only those are used, avoiding conflicts with system-wide or user-specific plugins. The default search path includes `~/.ansible/plugins/filter`, `/usr/share/ansible/plugins/filter`, and the `filter_plugins` directory in the playbook's root.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Transform data with filters and plugins — This question tests Transform data with filters and plugins — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It replaces the default search path for filter plugins with the specified directory. — In Ansible, the `filter_plugins` setting in `ansible.cfg` specifies a directory that replaces the default search path for filter plugins. This means Ansible will look only in the specified directory for filter plugins, ignoring the default locations such as `~/.ansible/plugins/filter` or the `filter_plugins` directory relative to the playbook. This is a configuration override, not an addition.
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.
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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