- A
Replace the task with the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1 {{ item }}' and register results, using 'ignore_errors' to handle unreachable servers.
The command module can run ping to test ICMP reachability; ignore_errors allows the play to continue on failure while registering results.
- B
Use the 'slurp' module to read the /etc/hosts file and check if the server is listed.
Why wrong: slurp reads file content, not testing network connectivity.
- C
Use the 'wait_for' module with 'host={{ item }}' and 'port=123' to test connectivity, since NTP uses UDP 123.
Why wrong: wait_for tests TCP connections, not UDP; NTP uses UDP, so it would fail.
- D
Use the 'ping' module with a loop over the ntp_servers list, setting the 'data' parameter to the server IP.
Why wrong: The ping module only pings the managed node, not external hosts; it does not accept a destination parameter.
EX294 Transform data with filters and plugins Practice Question
This EX294 practice question tests your understanding of transform data with filters and plugins. 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.
You are maintaining an Ansible automation for a large Red Hat Enterprise Linux deployment. The playbook configures NTP servers on all managed nodes. It uses a variable 'ntp_servers' defined in group_vars/all.yml as a list: ['0.rhel.pool.ntp.org', '1.rhel.pool.ntp.org', '2.rhel.pool.ntp.org']. The playbook task uses the 'uri' module to test connectivity to each server, but only if the server is reachable. The task currently uses:
``` - name: Test NTP server reachability uri: url: "http://{{ item }}:123" timeout: 5 register: result loop: "{{ ntp_servers }}" until: result.status == 200 retries: 3 delay: 2 ```
However, the playbook fails because the NTP servers do not respond to HTTP on port 123. You need to change the approach to test ICMP reachability using the 'ping' module, but the 'ping' module does not support a custom destination port. You also want to continue using a loop and register the success/failure per server. Which of the following is the best course of action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Replace the task with the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1 {{ item }}' and register results, using 'ignore_errors' to handle unreachable servers.
Option A is correct because the 'ping' module in Ansible does not support custom ports or protocols, and NTP servers do not respond to HTTP on port 123. Using the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1' allows ICMP reachability testing, and 'ignore_errors' prevents playbook failure when a server is unreachable, while still registering per-server success/failure via the loop.
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.
- ✓
Replace the task with the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1 {{ item }}' and register results, using 'ignore_errors' to handle unreachable servers.
Why this is correct
The command module can run ping to test ICMP reachability; ignore_errors allows the play to continue on failure while registering results.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the 'slurp' module to read the /etc/hosts file and check if the server is listed.
Why it's wrong here
slurp reads file content, not testing network connectivity.
- ✗
Use the 'wait_for' module with 'host={{ item }}' and 'port=123' to test connectivity, since NTP uses UDP 123.
- ✗
Use the 'ping' module with a loop over the ntp_servers list, setting the 'data' parameter to the server IP.
Why it's wrong here
The ping module only pings the managed node, not external hosts; it does not accept a destination parameter.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the 'ping' module can perform ICMP reachability tests to external hosts, but in Ansible, 'ping' only tests SSH connectivity to managed nodes, not network-level ICMP pings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'command' module runs arbitrary commands on the control node or target, depending on delegation; here, 'ping -c 1' sends a single ICMP Echo Request, and the return code (0 for success, non-zero for failure) is captured in 'result.rc'. Using 'ignore_errors: yes' allows the loop to continue even if a server is unreachable, and the registered results can be filtered later with 'result.results' to handle failures per item.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX294 question test?
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: Replace the task with the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1 {{ item }}' and register results, using 'ignore_errors' to handle unreachable servers. — Option A is correct because the 'ping' module in Ansible does not support custom ports or protocols, and NTP servers do not respond to HTTP on port 123. Using the 'command' module to run 'ping -c 1' allows ICMP reachability testing, and 'ignore_errors' prevents playbook failure when a server is unreachable, while still registering per-server success/failure via the loop.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This EX294 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX294 exam.
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