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350-401 · Question #946

What is one difference between SaltStack and Ansible?

The correct answer is D. SaltStack is agent based, whereas Ansible is agentless.. SaltStack and Ansible are both configuration management tools, but they differ fundamentally in their operational architecture regarding agent deployment.

Submitted by javi_es· Mar 6, 2026Automation

Question

What is one difference between SaltStack and Ansible?

Options

  • ASaltStack uses the Ansible agent on the box, whereas Ansible uses a Telnet server on the box.
  • BSaltStack uses an API proxy agent to program Cisco boxes in agent mode, whereas Ansible uses
  • CSaltStack uses SSH to interact with Cisco devices, whereas Ansible uses an event bus.
  • DSaltStack is agent based, whereas Ansible is agentless.

How the community answered

(51 responses)
  • B
    2% (1)
  • C
    6% (3)
  • D
    92% (47)

Why each option

SaltStack and Ansible are both configuration management tools, but they differ fundamentally in their operational architecture regarding agent deployment.

ASaltStack uses the Ansible agent on the box, whereas Ansible uses a Telnet server on the box.

SaltStack does not use an Ansible agent; they are distinct platforms, and Ansible uses SSH or WinRM, not a Telnet server.

BSaltStack uses an API proxy agent to program Cisco boxes in agent mode, whereas Ansible uses

This statement inaccurately describes how either SaltStack or Ansible interact with Cisco devices and misrepresents their core architectures.

CSaltStack uses SSH to interact with Cisco devices, whereas Ansible uses an event bus.

SaltStack typically uses a message bus for communication between master and minion, not solely SSH; Ansible primarily uses SSH for device interaction, but it is not an event bus for its core communication with targets.

DSaltStack is agent based, whereas Ansible is agentless.Correct

SaltStack employs an agent-based architecture, requiring a 'minion' agent to be installed on each managed node, whereas Ansible is agentless, relying on standard protocols like SSH for communication and execution on managed systems.

Concept tested: Configuration Management Agent vs. Agentless

Source: https://docs.saltproject.io/en/latest/topics/architecture/index.html

Topics

#SaltStack architecture#Ansible architecture#Configuration management

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