Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingAutomation and ProgrammabilityHard
A network administrator is evaluating different network automation tools. One tool advertises its ability to manage network configurations by simply defining the desired state of the network (e.g., 'interface GigabitEthernet0/1 should be up with IP address 192.168.1.1/24'). The tool then automatically figures out and executes the necessary commands to achieve and maintain that state. Which network automation approach does this tool primarily utilize?
- AEvent-driven automation
- BImperative automation
- CScripted automation
- DDeclarative automation
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Declarative automation
Declarative automation focuses on defining the desired end state of the network. The automation engine then determines the steps needed to reach that state and continuously works to maintain it. This contrasts with imperative automation, which specifies the exact sequence of commands to execute.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Event-driven automation reacts to specific network events (e.g., a link going down) to trigger actions, which is a different paradigm than defining a desired configuration state.
- B. Imperative automation involves specifying the exact sequence of steps or commands to achieve a desired state, not just declaring the state itself.
- C. Scripted automation is a broad term but often implies imperative scripts, where the user defines explicit steps, rather than just the desired end state.
Declarative Automation
An automation approach where the desired end state of a system or network is defined, and the automation engine is responsible for executing the necessary actions to achieve and maintain that state.
- Focuses on 'what' the state should be, not 'how' to get there
- The system manages the implementation details
- Often used with configuration management tools
Memory trick: Automate by saying what you want, or how to get it.