Free Practice Quiz Question List

4 Network Automation with Python Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 4 Network Automation with Python, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

Choose one

1 point

A team wants an automation script that is straightforward to test and maintain as its device inventory grows. Which design best separates the script's data, logic, and device access?

A
Store device inventory and desired values as structured data, place reusable procedures in functions, and use a library or API client for device access.
B
Put credentials, device inventory, and all operational logic in one function so the script has fewer components.
C
Store device details in comments and embed each device's commands directly in the control flow.
D
Use a separate script for every device so the scripts do not need reusable logic.

True or false

1 point

True or false: In the inventory-validation example, an invalid management address can raise ValueError, which the script catches to report the affected device.

A
True
B
False

Fill in the blank

1 point

To decide whether a device needs a configuration change, compare its current state with the .

Written response

1 point

What term describes an automation run that can be repeated without making further changes once the device has reached the desired state?

Choose one

1 point

In the NAPALM example, what happens when the candidate differs from the device's current configuration but the APPLY environment variable is not set to "1"?

A
It commits the candidate configuration and verifies the hostname.
B
It displays the proposed diff, then discards the candidate without applying the change.
C
It replaces the device configuration with the candidate and closes the session.
D
It skips the diff and marks the device compliant.

Choose all

1 point

Select all actions that belong in the automation workflow before a consequential device change is applied.

A
Validate the device list and required inputs.
B
Read the current device state needed for the task.
C
Compare current and desired state to calculate the change.
D
Produce a diff or plan for review before applying the change.
E
Apply the change before reading the current state, then decide whether it was necessary.

True or false

1 point

True or false: In the NAPALM example, the finally block is used to clean up a pending candidate and close the device session, including when an error occurs.

A
True
B
False

Written response

1 point

How many numbered stages are in the reliable automation pattern, from loading and validating inputs through recording the outcome and cleaning up?

Fill in the blank

1 point

In the NAPALM example, credentials are read from rather than embedded in the source code.

Choose one

1 point

A configuration commit succeeds, but the team needs to know whether the device actually reached the intended state. Which check best provides that evidence?

A
Confirm that the script printed the proposed diff.
B
Confirm that the candidate was loaded without an exception.
C
After committing, retrieve live device facts and check that the hostname matches the intended name.
D
Confirm that the device session closed without an exception.

Choose all

1 point

A device may temporarily stop responding during an automation run. Select all practices that help handle this safely.

A
Set timeouts and limit retries to errors likely to be temporary.
B
Retry every failed operation indefinitely until the device responds.
C
Avoid blindly repeating operations that are not idempotent.
D
Remove timeouts so a slow device can never cause the script to fail.

Choose one

1 point

Before applying a candidate configuration, an engineer is unsure whether the target platform replaces or merges configuration. What is the safest next step?

A
Assume every configuration operation merges changes and apply the entire candidate.
B
Determine whether the device or library merges or replaces configuration, then choose the smallest suitable change.
C
Prefer replacing configuration because it guarantees unrelated settings will be preserved.
D
Skip reviewing the candidate if the requested setting appears in the inventory.

Open ended

1 point

A script commits a risky production change, but its post-change check shows that the device is not operating as intended. What should the automation team do next, and what recovery safeguards should it have planned for such a change?

Choose one

1 point

A device inventory may contain malformed management addresses. Which approach helps detect those errors before the script attempts device connections?

A
Attempt to connect to every device and handle malformed addresses only after authentication fails.
B
Parse each management address with the ipaddress module before attempting connections.
C
Replace every invalid address with a default address so the script can continue.
D
Skip address checks because the network library will always report invalid input consistently.

Choose one

1 point

A network automation script needs a username and password to connect to devices. Which approach best protects those credentials?

A
Store the password in a comment so operators can find it easily.
B
Commit the password in a configuration file alongside the script.
C
Retrieve credentials from a secrets manager or protected environment injection.
D
Print the password to the log before connecting so failures are easier to diagnose.

Written response

1 point

What property should an automation script have if rerunning it after the desired device state is reached makes no further changes?

Written response

1 point

In the NAPALM workflow, which method displays the difference for a staged configuration candidate before it is committed or discarded?

True or false

1 point

True or false: If a device accepts a configuration command, that alone proves the intended operational result was achieved.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A change script should default to a dry run and require an explicit opt-in before applying a staged change. Which behavior matches that requirement?

A
Commit every candidate as soon as it is loaded, then display the diff.
B
Display the proposed diff and discard the candidate unless APPLY=1 is set.
C
Discard every candidate before comparing it with the current configuration.
D
Apply the candidate only when the diff is empty.

Choose one

1 point

A script may fail after loading a candidate configuration. Which cleanup strategy best ensures that the candidate is discarded when needed and the device session is closed?

A
Use a finally block to discard any still-loaded candidate and close the session.
B
Close the session only after every operation succeeds.
C
Retry the commit indefinitely before closing the session.
D
Leave the candidate loaded so a later run can reuse the session.