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Automation and Programmability — CCNA practice questions

Domain 6 of the Cisco CCNA (200-301) exam. 15 questions on this domain in the full bank — here are four free samples with answers and explanations.

Question 1 · Difficulty 2/5

What is a primary benefit of network automation?
  1. It eliminates the need for IP addressing
  2. It reduces repetitive manual configuration tasks
  3. It replaces routing protocols entirely
  4. It prevents all security incidents
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

It reduces repetitive manual configuration tasks
Network automation reduces repetitive manual work and helps improve consistency and speed in configuration and operations. It does not remove the need for core networking concepts like IP addressing or routing protocols. It can improve security posture, but it does not prevent all incidents by itself.

Question 2 · Difficulty 3/5

What is a key difference between traditional networking and controller-based networking?
  1. Traditional networking never uses routing
  2. Controller-based networking centralizes management and policy decisions
  3. Traditional networking cannot use VLANs
  4. Controller-based networking removes the data plane
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Controller-based networking centralizes management and policy decisions
Controller-based networking centralizes management, policy, and often orchestration through a controller, while traditional networking relies more heavily on distributed device-by-device configuration. Traditional networks still use routing and VLANs. Controller-based designs separate control and data functions, but they do not remove the data plane.

Question 3 · Difficulty 3/5

In an SDN architecture, what is the primary role of the control plane?
  1. Forward packets at wire speed
  2. Make traffic forwarding decisions
  3. Encrypt application payloads
  4. Provide physical cabling
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Make traffic forwarding decisions
The control plane determines how traffic should be handled by building and distributing forwarding decisions. The data plane is responsible for forwarding packets based on those decisions. Encryption and cabling are outside the primary role of the SDN control plane.

Question 4 · Difficulty 2/5

What is the role of the data plane in networking?
  1. Define policy intent for traffic flows
  2. Forward traffic based on rules
  3. Manage routing table updates across devices
  4. Monitor and report QoS metrics to the management plane
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Forward traffic based on rules
The data plane is responsible for forwarding traffic according to rules established by the control plane. Defining policy intent is a control or application layer function, managing routing table updates is a control plane responsibility, and monitoring QoS metrics belongs to the management plane.

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