Free CCNA Automation and Programmability Practice Test 2026 — Cisco 200-301 Questions

This free Cisco CCNA Automation and Programmability practice test covers network automation concepts, software-defined networking, REST APIs, configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef), JSON encoding, and Cisco DNA Center. Each question includes a detailed explanation — perfect for Cisco CCNA 200-301 exam prep.

Key Topics in CCNA Automation and Programmability

6 Free CCNA Automation and Programmability Practice Questions with Answers

Sample Question 1 — Automation and Programmability

A network engineer needs to automate the configuration of multiple Cisco switches using REST APIs. Which data format is most commonly used for exchanging data with Cisco's REST APIs?

  1. A. XML
  2. B. YAML
  3. C. JSON (Correct answer)
  4. D. CSV

Correct answer: C

Explanation: JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most common data format used for exchanging data with Cisco's REST APIs. It's lightweight, human-readable, and easily parsed by both the client and the server. XML is also used but JSON is preferred for its efficiency. YAML and CSV are less commonly used in this context.

Sample Question 2 — Automation and Programmability

You are using the Cisco IOS-XE REST API to configure an interface. What HTTP method would you typically use to create a new configuration?

  1. A. GET
  2. B. PUT
  3. C. POST (Correct answer)
  4. D. DELETE

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The POST method is used to create new resources or configurations. GET retrieves information, PUT updates existing resources, and DELETE removes resources.

Sample Question 3 — Automation and Programmability

While using the Cisco REST API to manage network devices, you encounter a 404 error. What does this error typically indicate?

  1. A. Authentication failure
  2. B. Server error
  3. C. Resource not found (Correct answer)
  4. D. Invalid request format

Correct answer: C

Explanation: A 404 error code indicates that the requested resource (e.g., a specific configuration parameter or device) could not be found on the server. Other options indicate different types of errors.

Sample Question 4 — Automation and Programmability

You're automating network configuration using Python and the Cisco REST API. What Python library is commonly used to handle HTTP requests?

  1. A. requests (Correct answer)
  2. B. urllib
  3. C. socket
  4. D. os

Correct answer: A

Explanation: The `requests` library in Python simplifies making HTTP requests, making it ideal for interacting with REST APIs. While `urllib` can also be used, `requests` provides a more user-friendly and efficient interface.

Sample Question 5 — Automation and Programmability

What is the primary advantage of using controller-based networking (like Cisco DNA Center) for network automation?

  1. A. Increased network latency
  2. B. Reduced network visibility
  3. C. Simplified network management and provisioning (Correct answer)
  4. D. Higher implementation costs

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Controller-based networking centralizes management and simplifies tasks like provisioning, configuration, and monitoring of network devices. This leads to improved efficiency and reduced operational costs.

Sample Question 6 — Automation and Programmability

A network administrator wants to automate the creation of VLANs on multiple switches. Which approach would be MOST efficient?

  1. A. Manual configuration on each switch
  2. B. Using a scripting language with SNMP
  3. C. Using a configuration management tool like Ansible or Puppet
  4. D. Using the Cisco REST API (Correct answer)

Correct answer: D

Explanation: While Ansible or Puppet could work, directly using the Cisco REST API offers the most precise and efficient control over the configuration process when automating VLAN creation across multiple switches.

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