Exam 350-401 topic 1 question 306 discussion

I believe the answer is C

B is correct. Agentless needs no programs on the Clint. while Agent-Based often needs a program "often not always that is why C and D are wrong

C is incorrect because Agent-based tools usually require the installation of a software agent on the slave nodes, which often includes a high-level language interpreter such as Python or Ruby to execute configuration instructions sent by the master. Agentless tools do not require a separate messaging system between the master and slave nodes because they communicate directly using protocols like SSH or WinRM hence B is correct

Agent-based tools typically do not require a high-level language interpreter like Python or Ruby on slave nodes. Agent-based systems usually involve lightweight agents that can execute tasks independently without relying on a centralized interpreter on each node. These agents are often designed to be lightweight and self-contained, capable of executing tasks based on predefined rules or instructions without the need for a full interpreter.

From cisco ENCOR prep book : There are two core types of configuration management tools, and there is also a third type that is usually a derivation of an agent-based tool: ▪ Agent-based configuration: With agent-based tools, an agent must be installed on every device that the configuration management tool will manage. ▪ Agentless configuration: Agentless tools do not require that an agent be installed on every device; instead, they communicate via SSH or another API that a device supports. ▪ Proxy-agent configuration: This type of configuration does not require an agent on every device, but it does require some type of “process” or “worker” to communicate with the master server and the remote device.

B is the only answer which is obviously not wrong. The commands of agent based software is often queued and sent via "messages" like in SaltStack. While Agentless software relies on standard connections and commands e. g. via SSH.

B is correct. reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TVNCTK808I&ab_channel=Simplilearn

An agentless tool uses standard protocols, such as SSH, to push configurations down to a device (and it can be considered a “messaging system”). If this is the case, then what does it mean for answer 'B"

C is wrong because agent based tools such as Chef uses Ruby for device configuration. D is also wrong because agent based tools require an agent being installed on the network device.

A. (Incorrect) Agentless tools such as Ansible do need SSH (messaging system) between master and slave otherwise how will they communicate. B. (Incorrect) only agent-based tools use proxy agents on the clients. C (Correct) Agent-based tools such as Chef, Puppet, SaltStack require instillation of special software (agent) on the client nodes. The server node then talks with the agent directly and there is no need of a high-level language interpreter such as Python or Ruby on slave nodes. D. (Incorrect) Agent-based tools such as Chef, Puppet, SaltStack do require installation of additional software packages (agents) on the slave nodes.

Audi87's explanation is reversed; he is explaining an Agentless tool not requiring but "C" is saying Agent-based tools do not require when they DO require a high-level language interpreter. "B" is the only answer that makes sense as Ansible and Puppet DO use slave nodes as proxies to interface via SSH.

A==false, because agent-less tools ( ansible, salt-ssh or bolt ) use plain ssh. Could be tunelled through gw, but that's probably not what they mean by proxying. What's left is B.

C or D false, because all agent using tools as Chef, Puppet and Salt are using either python or ruby based agents.

Agree with Audi87