During an unpredicted core link failure, a lead network engineer executed an approved Emergency Change (ECAB) by manually applying temporary static routing overrides directly on live edge routers to restore connectivity. Three hours later, an automated configuration management pipeline executed its scheduled compliance audit and synchronized the routers against the central version-controlled repository, inadvertently wiping out the manual emergency modifications and restoring the outage. Which of the following procedures should have been completed immediately following the emergency implementation to permanently prevent this configuration drift?
- Update the authoritative version-controlled repository with the modified configuration parameters and commit a post-implementation baseline update before the automated synchronization cycle runs.Answer
- BImmediately roll back the emergency static routing commands and wait for the standard weekly Change Advisory Board (CAB) meeting to re-authorize the changes.
- CReconfigure the edge routers' default gateway settings on internal subnets to route traffic around the automated configuration pipeline.
- DPerform a differential system backup of the edge router startup configuration and restore it every time the automated deployment tool triggers.
Answer
Update the authoritative version-controlled repository with the modified configuration parameters and commit a post-implementation baseline update before the automated synchronization cycle runs.
In modern automated network environments, central repositories (Infrastructure as Code / configuration baselines) define the source of truth. When emergency changes are applied manually directly to devices, the central repository must be updated and committed immediately during post-implementation reconciliation. This ensures automated compliance engines recognize the new state as authorized, preventing automated configuration drift remediation from undoing emergency fixes.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Configuration Baseline Synchronization and Post-Emergency Change Management