View Full Cisco CCNP Data Center 300-635 Exam Dumps and Practice Test Dumps
Question 181.
Which API design feature allows a client to request only a subset of records that match specified conditions?
- Filtering
2. Serialization
3. Encapsulation
4. Fragmentation
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
Filtering allows an API client to narrow a result set based on defined criteria such as device name, status, organization, model, or resource type. This is especially useful in large data center environments where a full inventory query might return thousands of records. Reducing the returned dataset lowers bandwidth usage, parsing overhead, and memory consumption. Serialization is the process of representing data in a transferable format, while encapsulation and fragmentation are unrelated concepts in this context. Efficient filtering is an important API skill because it allows automation scripts to retrieve only the data required for a specific task.
Question 182.
Which API technique allows a client to retrieve a large dataset in smaller groups instead of one very large response?
- Rate limiting
2. Pagination
3. Authorization
4. Encryption
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
Pagination divides a large API result into smaller pages or batches. The client retrieves the first group of records and then follows page numbers, offsets, cursors, or continuation tokens to obtain the remaining data. This improves performance and prevents excessively large responses. Rate limiting controls request frequency, authorization controls permissions, and encryption protects data in transit. Automation scripts must account for pagination correctly because processing only the first page can produce incomplete inventory, policy, or compliance results.
Question 183.
A script retrieves the first 100 records from an API, but the response indicates that more records exist. What should the script do next?
- Assume the first page contains all data
2. Delete the previous results
3. Request the next page or use the supplied continuation mechanism
4. Restart the controller
Correct Answer: 3
Explanation:
When an API indicates that more records are available, the client should continue retrieving subsequent pages until all required data has been collected. Depending on the API, this may involve increasing an offset, changing a page number, or using a continuation token. Assuming the first page is complete can lead to incorrect automation decisions, such as missing devices or policies. Restarting the controller or deleting prior results is unnecessary. Proper pagination handling is especially important when scripts operate against large data center inventories.
Question 184.
Which HTTP status code normally indicates that the server understood the request but refuses to authorize the operation?
- 201
2. 302
3. 404
4. 403
Correct Answer: 4
Explanation:
HTTP 403 means that the server understood the request but the client does not have sufficient permission to perform the requested action. This differs from 401, which is generally associated with failed or missing authentication. A 201 response commonly indicates successful creation of a resource, 302 represents redirection, and 404 indicates that the requested resource was not found. In automation, a 403 response should prompt verification of roles, scopes, privileges, and API authorization rather than repeated authentication attempts alone.
Question 185.
Which practice is best when an automation script receives a 403 response from a Cisco controller?
- Verify the API client’s assigned permissions and requested operation
2. Retry continuously without delay
3. Disable TLS
4. Delete the target resource manually
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
A 403 response usually indicates an authorization problem, so the correct action is to verify whether the automation identity has the required role or scope for the requested operation. Retrying the same unauthorized request will generally not help. Disabling TLS weakens security and does not change authorization. Manual deletion also does not address the root cause. Automation accounts should be granted least privilege, meaning enough permission to perform approved tasks but no more. This improves security while still allowing necessary workflows.
Question 186.
Which Python technique is most appropriate for defining reusable code that authenticates to an API and returns a session object?
- Global variable only
2. Function
3. Comment block
4. String literal
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
A function is the most appropriate structure for encapsulating reusable authentication logic. It can accept parameters such as a controller address or secret reference, perform authentication, validate the response, and return a session or token. This avoids duplicating code throughout the script and makes maintenance easier. A function is also easier to unit test than scattered authentication statements. Global variables and string literals do not provide the same modularity and can make code harder to maintain.
Question 187.
Which Python construct is best suited for storing a list of API objects returned in a JSON array?
- Integer
2. String only
3. List
4. Boolean
Correct Answer: 3
Explanation:
A JSON array normally maps to a Python list. This allows the script to iterate through returned objects, filter them, sort them, or perform operations on each item. For example, a list might contain several switch objects, each represented as a dictionary. Integer, string, and Boolean values represent individual data types rather than an ordered collection. Understanding how JSON structures map to Python objects is fundamental when processing API responses from Cisco data center platforms.
Question 188.
Which Python statement is used to skip the remainder of the current loop iteration and move to the next item?
- break
2. raise
3. return
4. continue
Correct Answer: 4
Explanation:
The continue statement skips the remaining code in the current loop iteration and proceeds with the next item. This is useful when an automation script encounters a device that should not be processed, such as one that is offline or outside the required scope. break exits the entire loop, while return exits a function. raise generates an exception. Proper loop control makes scripts more efficient and allows them to handle exceptional devices without terminating the entire workflow.
Question 189.
Which Ansible structure is most appropriate for organizing reusable tasks, variables, handlers, and templates into a modular unit?
- Role
2. Inventory only
3. Vault file only
4. Callback output
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
An Ansible role provides a standardized directory structure for reusable automation content such as tasks, handlers, defaults, variables, templates, and files. Roles make large projects easier to maintain and allow common logic to be reused across multiple playbooks. Inventory defines target hosts, while Vault protects secrets. Callback plugins affect execution output. Roles are especially helpful in data center automation because the same configuration patterns may need to be deployed repeatedly across many devices or environments.
Question 190.
Which Ansible mechanism should be used when one task must notify another task to run only after a change occurs?
- Inventory group
2. Handler
3. Loop variable
4. Fact cache
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
A handler is a special Ansible task that runs when it is notified by another task that reports a change. This is useful when a follow-up action such as restarting a service, reloading a configuration, or performing a validation should occur only when the underlying configuration changed. Handlers support efficient, idempotent workflows because they avoid unnecessary actions. Inventory groups, loop variables, and fact caches serve different purposes and do not provide change-triggered task execution.
Question 191.
Which Ansible keyword stores the output of a completed task so it can be referenced later?
- register
2. include only
3. become only
4. serial only
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
The register keyword saves the result of an Ansible task into a variable. Later tasks can inspect the registered data, check return values, evaluate success or failure, or use the output in a when condition. This enables dynamic workflows based on actual infrastructure state. For example, a playbook can query an interface, register the response, and only change the configuration if a specific value is missing. Registered variables are a core mechanism for building state-aware automation.
Question 192.
Which Ansible feature can dynamically generate configuration text from variables?
- Inventory
2. Jinja2 template
3. Vault only
4. Handler only
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
Jinja2 templates allow Ansible to generate configuration files or command structures dynamically using variables, loops, and conditional logic. The same template can support many devices by substituting values such as hostnames, VLAN IDs, interface names, or IP addresses. This reduces duplicated configuration and improves consistency. Inventory identifies hosts, Vault protects secrets, and handlers respond to changes. Templates are especially useful when the desired output is text-based but device-specific values vary.
Question 193.
Which Terraform command initializes a working directory and downloads required provider plugins?
- terraform init
2. terraform destroy
3. terraform output
4. terraform state rm
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
terraform init prepares a Terraform working directory by initializing backend settings, downloading required provider plugins, and setting up modules when needed. It is generally one of the first commands run after obtaining a Terraform configuration. It does not create or modify managed infrastructure directly. terraform plan previews changes and terraform apply performs them. Initialization is required before Terraform can use providers and interact with external infrastructure APIs.
Question 194.
Which Terraform block tells Terraform which external platform plugin should be used to manage resources?
- Output block
2. Provider block
3. Comment block
4. Loop block only
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
A provider block configures the plugin Terraform uses to communicate with an external service or API. Providers define supported resources and data sources. Provider configuration may include endpoint information, organization identifiers, authentication references, or other connection settings. Sensitive values should not be hardcoded where possible. Output blocks expose selected values after execution, while comments do not configure external platforms. Providers are fundamental because Terraform itself relies on them to interact with infrastructure systems.
Question 195.
Which Terraform block represents an infrastructure object that Terraform should manage?
- Resource block
2. Comment block
3. Output only
4. Backend only
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
A Terraform resource block defines an infrastructure object that Terraform should create and manage. Resources may represent network objects, server policies, cloud instances, application constructs, or other items supported by a provider. Each resource has a type, local name, and configuration arguments. Terraform tracks these resources in state and compares them with the declared configuration during planning. Output and backend blocks serve different purposes. Understanding resources is central to using Terraform for declarative data center automation.
Question 196.
What is the primary purpose of a Terraform variable?
- Delete resources automatically
2. Generate packet captures
3. Replace state files
4. Allow configuration values to be supplied without hardcoding them
Correct Answer: 4
Explanation:
Terraform variables allow configurations to accept external or environment-specific values instead of embedding every parameter directly into the code. Variables can represent names, addresses, VLAN IDs, policy values, or other settings. This improves reuse because the same configuration can support development, test, and production environments with different inputs. Variables do not replace state or automatically delete resources. Sensitive variables should still be handled carefully because their values can sometimes appear in state depending on provider behavior.
Question 197.
Which NETCONF operation retrieves both configuration and operational state data?
- <get>
2. <commit>
3. <lock>
4. <delete-config>
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
The NETCONF <get> operation retrieves configuration and operational state data from the device. Filters can be applied to limit the returned data to relevant portions of the YANG model. <get-config> is used specifically for configuration data from a selected datastore. <commit> activates candidate changes, while <lock> protects a datastore from conflicting edits. Structured retrieval using NETCONF enables automation to work with predictable model-driven data rather than raw command output.
Question 198.
Which NETCONF capability allows several configuration changes to be staged before they are made active?
- Syslog buffer
2. Candidate datastore
3. ARP cache
4. Startup script only
Correct Answer: 2
Explanation:
The candidate datastore, when supported, allows a NETCONF client to prepare configuration changes separately from the active running configuration. Multiple changes can be staged, reviewed, validated, and then committed together. This can reduce risk when related modifications should be activated as a coordinated set. Not all devices support the candidate capability, so automation should check advertised NETCONF capabilities before assuming it is available. Syslog and ARP information are unrelated to configuration staging.
Question 199.
Which Cisco NX-OS feature is best suited to react automatically to a syslog event and execute a predefined action?
- Embedded Event Manager
2. OSPF
3. HSRP
4. vPC
Correct Answer: 1
Explanation:
Embedded Event Manager provides event-driven automation directly on supported Cisco NX-OS devices. It can monitor events such as syslog messages, interface transitions, timers, or thresholds and then execute configured actions. These actions may collect diagnostics, issue commands, or invoke scripts. OSPF, HSRP, and vPC provide networking functions rather than generalized event-driven automation. EEM policies should be tested carefully because broad triggers or unsafe actions can create repeated or unintended changes.
Question 200.
A team wants to prevent automation from being deployed when unit tests, syntax validation, or policy checks fail. Which CI/CD mechanism should be used?
- Disable the pipeline
2. Deploy first and test afterward
3. Quality gate
4. Store production secrets directly in the repository
Correct Answer: 3
Explanation:
A quality gate prevents code from progressing to later stages when required validation criteria are not met. In infrastructure automation, a gate can require successful unit tests, syntax checks, linting, security scans, Terraform validation, policy evaluation, or manual approval before production deployment. This reduces the risk that defective or unsafe automation reaches live infrastructure. Testing after deployment is much less effective because damage may already have occurred. Quality gates are a core element of controlled CI/CD workflows for data center automation.