Automation and programmability
⏱ ~3-min readAceMark Guide
What this topic is really about
Ansible is agentless (it uses SSH/network APIs), uses YAML playbooks, and follows a push model — all reasons it appears in CCNA automation content. Puppet and Chef are agent-based and use a pull model; SaltStack typically uses agents (minions).
GET retrieves a resource without changing server state (it is idempotent and safe). POST creates a resource, PUT replaces/updates one, and DELETE removes one. CCNA covers REST verbs as part of controller-based and software-defined networking.
See the mechanism
Ansible is agentless (it uses SSH/network APIs), uses YAML playbooks, and follows a push model — all reasons it appears in CCNA automation content. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.
An exam-style question, fully explained
Which configuration management tool uses an agentless, YAML-based, push model and is commonly referenced in CCNA automation topics?
- Identify what the question tests: Which configuration management tool uses an agentless, YAML-based, push model and is commonly referenced in CCNA automation topics.
- Ansible is agentless (it uses SSH/network APIs), uses YAML playbooks, and follows a push model — all reasons it appears in CCNA automation content.
- Puppet and Chef are agent-based and use a pull model; SaltStack typically uses agents (minions).
Traps the examiner sets
- Read each option carefully — distractors on Automation and programmability are designed to look plausible.
- Re-check the exact wording of the question stem before committing to an answer.
- Watch the qualifiers ("always", "only", "except") that flip a correct-looking option.
Test your recall
Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.
Run a focused 10-question mini-mock on Automation and programmability and see it stick.
Practice more of this topic →