SAUTO Hard Questions — 25 Difficult Questions

Question 1

When parsing a complex JSON response from a Cisco Stealthwatch API call, you need to extract the value associated with a key nested deep within the hierarchy. Which Python approach is most idiomatic and robust for this task?

Choose an answer to begin — your selection is scored in the full session.

Accepted Answer

Load the response into a dictionary using json.loads() and access the keys using a chain of square brackets.. Using the built-in json module to load the string into a dictionary and accessing keys via standard dictionary lookups is the most robust method.

Answer

Convert the JSON to XML and use XPath to navigate the structure.

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Use string slicing with find() to locate the key.

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Use regex patterns to extract the value directly from the raw string.

Question 2

In a Cisco REST API implementation using Python, you receive a '429 Too Many Requests' error. What is the appropriate programmatic response?

Accepted Answer

Implement an exponential backoff strategy.. A 429 error indicates rate limiting; the client should implement exponential backoff to reduce request frequency.

Answer

Switch the request method from GET to POST.

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Disable SSL verification for subsequent calls.

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Increase the timeout duration of the request.

Question 3

Which TWO of the following are accurate regarding the structure and usage of YANG data models?

Accepted Answer

A 'leaf-list' is used to define an array of values of the same type.. YANG is a modeling language used to define data structures for network management protocols.

Answer

All YANG models are automatically applied to the device upon being uploaded.

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YANG models must always be written in JSON format for the device to understand them.

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YANG models are exclusively used for RESTCONF and cannot be used with NETCONF.

Question 4

You are debugging a NETCONF session to a Cisco device. The device sends an containing an . Which element inside the indicates the severity of the problem?

Accepted Answer

. The element in an structure specifies whether the error is 'error', 'warning', or 'info'.

Answer

<error-type>

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<error-message>

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<error-tag>

Question 5

Which TWO of the following are true regarding the use of the Python 'requests' library?

Accepted Answer

It can automatically serialize dictionaries to JSON via the json parameter.. The 'requests' library automatically handles connection pooling and provides simple methods for common HTTP verbs.

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It only supports the synchronous execution model.

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It requires manual management of connection pools.

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It is only compatible with Python 2.7.

Question 6

When working with NETCONF, what is the role of the <edit-config> operation?

Accepted Answer

It changes the running configuration of the device.. The <edit-config> operation is used to modify the running configuration of a network device.

Answer

It retrieves the entire configuration from the device.

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It deletes the entire configuration.

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It creates a new session on the device.

Question 7

In a YANG model, which statement is used to define an operational constraint that must be true for the data to be valid?

Accepted Answer

must. The 'must' statement specifies a constraint expression that must evaluate to true for the data to be accepted.

Answer

mandatory

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typedef

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config

Question 8

Which mechanism in YANG allows you to group multiple data nodes that are used in various parts of the model to reduce duplication?

Accepted Answer

grouping. The 'grouping' statement allows you to define a block of nodes that can be reused elsewhere via the 'uses' statement.

Answer

typedef

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module

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augment

Question 9

Which TWO of the following are true regarding YANG models?

Accepted Answer

YANG supports hierarchical data modeling. YANG is data-modeling language used for NETCONF/RESTCONF, and it supports both hierarchical structures and custom data types.

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YANG is a proprietary Cisco language

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YANG is only used for Cisco IOS-XE

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YANG uses binary data formats exclusively

Question 10

Which THREE of the following are true about Cisco API rate limiting?

Accepted Answer

Headers may include quota information. Rate limiting is used to protect API availability, usually returns a 429 status, and may provide header information about remaining quota.

Answer

It is only applicable to GET requests

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It always results in the account being banned

Question 11

Which TWO of the following are valid datastores used in the NETCONF protocol?

Accepted Answer

running. The 'running' and 'candidate' datastores are part of the standard NETCONF specification.

Answer

buffer

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temporary

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active

Question 12

You are writing a script that interacts with Cisco DNA Center. You need to keep the session alive after authentication. Which token is commonly used for subsequent API calls?

Accepted Answer

X-Auth-Token. DNA Center uses an X-Auth-Token retrieved from the authentication service to authorize subsequent API requests.

Answer

OAuth Refresh Token

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Session ID

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Basic Auth Header

Question 13

Which THREE of the following are common benefits of using NETCONF for device management?

Accepted Answer

Structured data format (XML). NETCONF provides transaction-based operations, structured data (XML), and distinct datastores, improving reliability over CLI.

Answer

Native GUI rendering

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Real-time video streaming support

Question 14

In the context of NETCONF, which capability allows a client to explicitly lock the datastore to prevent other users from making changes?

Accepted Answer

urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:candidate:1.0. The :candidate capability allows the use of the <lock> operation to ensure exclusive configuration access.

Answer

urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:rollback

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urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:exclusive-access

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urn:ietf:params:netconf:capability:write-only

Question 15

Which Python library is most commonly used for handling REST API requests in SecureX automation scripts?

Accepted Answer

requests. The 'requests' library is the standard for handling HTTP operations in Python.

Answer

flask

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urllib

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django

Question 16

In a Cisco SecureX workflow, which activity should be used to parse a JSON response from an external API?

Accepted Answer

JSON Parse. The 'JSON Parse' activity is specifically designed to convert raw JSON strings into objects for use in workflows.

Answer

Data Transform

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String Split

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HTTP Request

Question 17

Which THREE factors influence the rate limit for Cisco Security APIs?

Accepted Answer

Subscription tier. Rate limits are typically determined by the subscription tier, endpoint, and user/org context.

Answer

Hardware version

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Browser type

Question 18

When interacting with the Cisco WSA API, you want to retrieve the 'System Status'. What does the 'uptime' field in the JSON response represent?

Accepted Answer

Time elapsed since the last restart. The uptime field in the WSA API provides the time elapsed since the last appliance restart or service initialization.

Answer

Time elapsed since the last log upload

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Time elapsed since the last API call

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Time elapsed since the last configuration change

Question 19

In Threat Grid, what is the purpose of the 'Tags' field in an analysis report submission?

Accepted Answer

To label and categorize reports. Tags allow for categorization and easier searching of analysis reports within the Threat Grid interface.

Answer

To set the infection vector

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To specify the sandbox OS

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To define the analysis priority

Question 20

When writing a Python request to the SecureX API, which Content-Type header is required for POST requests?

Accepted Answer

application/json. application/json is the standard content type for SecureX API payloads.

Answer

application/xml

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application/x-www-form-urlencoded

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text/plain