Cisco CCNA (200-301)Automation and ProgrammabilityMedium
An engineer creates an Ansible inventory file named 'hosts.ini' with the following content: [switches] sw1 ansible_host=10.1.1.1 sw2 ansible_host=10.1.1.2 [routers] r1 ansible_host=10.1.1.10 What is the purpose of the group names '[switches]' and '[routers]' in this file?
- AThey specify the SSH port used to connect to each device
- BThey define the order in which Ansible modules execute
- CThey define variable data types used in the playbook
- DThey organize managed hosts into logical groups that playbooks can target
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. They organize managed hosts into logical groups that playbooks can target
In an Ansible inventory file, bracketed names like [switches] and [routers] define host groups. Playbooks can then target a specific group (e.g., 'hosts: switches') so tasks apply only to the devices in that group, simplifying management of different device types.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SSH port is set with a variable like ansible_port, not the group header.
- B. Module execution order is defined by tasks in the playbook, not inventory groups.
- C. Group names do not define variable types; they classify hosts.
Ansible Inventory Groups
Named collections of hosts in an Ansible inventory file, defined using square brackets, that allow playbooks to target specific sets of devices.
- Defined with [group_name] syntax
- Playbooks reference groups via the 'hosts:' key
- A host can belong to multiple groups
Memory trick: Brackets build buckets — sort devices into groups.