🤖 Network Automation & Programmability - CCNA Practice Questions

Learn REST APIs, JSON, YAML, configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef), SDN concepts, Cisco DNA Center, and how automation transforms network operations.

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CCNA Automation Question Bank (14 Questions)

Browse all 14 practice questions covering Network Automation & Programmability for the CCNA certification exam. Answers are intentionally hidden on this page so you can self-test first before checking results in quiz mode.

  1. Question 1Automation and Programmability

    Which configuration management tool uses a pull-based model?

    AAnsible
    BPuppet
    CBoth use push-based
    DNeither uses pull-based

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  2. Question 2Automation and Programmability

    What is the first step when using Cisco DNA Center APIs?

    ASend a GET request to discover devices
    BAuthenticate and obtain a token
    CCreate a network profile
    DConfigure SNMP community strings

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  3. Question 3Automation and Programmability

    Which HTTP method is used to create a new resource in a RESTful API?

    AGET
    BPUT
    CPOST
    DPATCH

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  4. Question 4Automation and Programmability

    Which HTTP status code indicates a resource was successfully created?

    A200 OK
    B201 Created
    C204 No Content
    D301 Moved Permanently

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  5. Question 5Automation and Programmability

    Which HTTP method is used to create a new resource via a REST API?

    AGET
    BPOST — sends data to the server to create a new resource
    CDELETE
    DPATCH

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  6. Question 6Automation and Programmability

    How does YAML differ from JSON as a data serialization format?

    AYAML and JSON are identical
    BYAML uses indentation (no brackets/commas), supports comments, and is more human-readable; JSON uses braces/brackets and is more machine-parseable
    CJSON supports comments but YAML does not
    DYAML is a binary format

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  7. Question 7Automation and Programmability

    Which Cisco API interface allows network engineers to interact with Cisco IOS XE devices using RESTCONF?

    ANETCONF over SSH using XML encoding
    BRESTCONF over HTTPS using JSON or XML encoding
    CSNMP using MIBs
    DCLI scripting using Expect

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  8. Question 8Automation and Programmability

    What are Puppet and Chef in the context of network automation?

    ANetwork monitoring tools
    BConfiguration management tools that use agents on managed devices to enforce desired state — Puppet uses manifests, Chef uses recipes/cookbooks
    CPacket analyzers
    DLoad balancers

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  9. Question 9Automation and Programmability

    What is Ansible primarily used for in network automation?

    ANetwork monitoring only
    BAgentless configuration management and automation — pushing configuration changes to network devices via SSH or APIs
    CPacket capture
    DCable management

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  10. Question 10Automation and Programmability

    What type of API does Cisco DNA Center primarily use?

    ASOAP
    BNETCONF
    CREST
    DgRPC

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  11. Question 11Automation and Programmability

    Which HTTP header is commonly used to send an API authentication token?

    AContent-Type
    BAuthorization
    CAccept
    DUser-Agent

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  12. Question 12Automation and Programmability

    What is the purpose of an API key or token in REST API authentication?

    ATo encrypt the API response
    BTo identify and authenticate the client making the API request, and to authorize access to specific resources
    CTo compress API data
    DTo cache API responses

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  13. Question 13Automation and Programmability

    Which data serialization format is most commonly used by REST APIs and uses key-value pairs with curly braces?

    AXML
    BYAML
    CJSON
    DCSV

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  14. Question 14Automation and Programmability

    A network engineer uses a REST API call with the HTTP GET method. What is the expected behavior?

    ACreate a new resource on the server
    BRetrieve/read data from the server without modifying it
    CUpdate an existing resource on the server
    DDelete a resource from the server

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Key Automation Concepts for CCNA

automationapirestjsonyamlansiblepuppetsdndna centerprogrammabilitynetconfrestconf

CCNA Automation Exam Tips

Network Automation & Programmability questions in CCNA are typically scenario-based. Focus on network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security basics, and automation concepts. Priority concepts: automation, api, rest, json, yaml, ansible.

What CCNA Expects

  • Anchor your answer in choose the configuration that correctly applies to the described network topology and requirements.
  • Automation scenarios for CCNA are frequently mapped to Domain 6 (10%), so read the objective carefully before picking controls or architecture.
  • Expect multi-topic scenarios where Automation interacts with routing, switching, security, or automation patterns rather than appearing as an isolated question.
  • When two options are both technically valid, prefer the choice that best aligns with the exam's operational scope (Associate) and vendor best practices.

High-Value Automation Concepts

  • Know the core Automation building blocks cold: automation, api, rest, json.
  • Review the edge-case features and limits for yaml, ansible; these details are commonly used to differentiate answer choices.
  • Practice service-integration reasoning: how Automation pairs with Network Fundamentals, IP Services, Security Fundamentals in real deployment patterns.
  • For CCNA, explain why the chosen Automation design meets reliability, security, and cost expectations better than the alternatives.

Common CCNA Traps

  • Watch for confusing similar protocols or mixing Layer 2 and Layer 3 behavior.
  • Questions in Automation and Programmability often include distractors that look correct for Automation but violate security policy, convergence, or redundancy requirements.
  • Avoid picking options purely by feature name; validate data path, failure handling, and governance impact before answering.
  • If the prompt hints at automation or repeatability, eliminate manual-only operational answers first.

Fast Review Checklist

  • Can you compare at least two Automation implementation paths and justify which one best fits the scenario?
  • Can you map the chosen answer back to Automation and Programmability (10%) outcomes for CCNA?
  • Can you explain security and access boundaries for Automation without relying on default-open assumptions?
  • Can you describe how Automation integrates with Network Fundamentals and IP Services during failure, scaling, and monitoring events?

Exam Domains Covering Automation

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