CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
A network engineer queries a REST API and receives data in JSON format. Which statement about JSON is correct?
⚠ Common exam trap
Avoid confusing JSON with binary formats or assuming it requires a schema like XML.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
JSON stores data as key-value pairs and arrays
JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format that represents data as key-value pairs and arrays. Option A is incorrect because JSON is not a transport protocol; it is a data format exchanged over HTTPS. Option C is incorrect because JSON is platform-agnostic and used by many APIs, not limited to Cisco DNA Center. Option D is incorrect because JSON uses a flexible syntax with colons and brackets, not XML tags.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
JSON is a transport protocol that replaces HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format, not a transport protocol, so it cannot replace HTTPS. A transport protocol like HTTPS defines the rules for reliably exchanging data between hosts, including addressing, error correction, and confidentiality. JSON, by contrast, has no mechanisms for routing, session management, or error recovery; it is simply the serialized payload that often travels over an HTTPS connection, such as in REST API requests and responses.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question stated that JSON is a protocol designed to facilitate data transfer over the internet, and it was framed in a context where JSON was being compared to other transport protocols, then option A could be considered correct.
- ✓
JSON stores data as key-value pairs and arrays
Why this is correct
JSON's syntax is built around two core structures: objects, which are unordered collections of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces, and arrays, which are ordered lists of values enclosed in square brackets. Each value within an object or array can itself be a string, number, boolean, null, or another nested object or array. This self-describing, hierarchical format is language-independent, making it both human-readable and easily parsed by machines.
- ✗
JSON can be used only with Cisco DNA Center
Why it's wrong here
JSON is an open, vendor-neutral standard that is not tied to any single platform or product. It is used by a vast array of REST APIs from numerous vendors and open-source projects, including Cisco's own DNA Center, but also AWS, Google, Microsoft, and countless others. JSON's ubiquity spans web development, cloud services, IoT, and data analytics, so claiming it is exclusive to Cisco DNA Center would be incorrect.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were framed to ask about a proprietary API that only supports JSON for data interchange within Cisco DNA Center, then this option could be considered correct in that specific context.
- ✗
JSON requires XML tags around each object
Why it's wrong here
JSON does not require XML tags around each object; in fact, JSON uses a text-based syntax that relies on punctuation such as curly braces, square brackets, colons, and commas to delimit data. XML, on the other hand, requires opening and closing angle-bracket tags to define every element, which adds significant verbosity. JSON's lack of tag overhead is a primary reason it is often chosen over XML for APIs—it is more compact and faster to parse.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were to ask about a data format that requires XML tags for structuring data, such as in a comparison between XML and JSON, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could ask, 'Which format requires tags to define objects?'
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓JSON stores data as key-value pairs and arraysCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
JSON's syntax is built around two core structures: objects, which are unordered collections of key-value pairs enclosed in curly braces, and arrays, which are ordered lists of values enclosed in square brackets. Each value within an object or array can itself be a string, number, boolean, null, or another nested object or array. This self-describing, hierarchical format is language-independent, making it both human-readable and easily parsed by machines.
✗JSON is a transport protocol that replaces HTTPSWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
JSON is a lightweight data-interchange format, not a transport protocol. HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP used for communication, and JSON does not replace it; instead, JSON data is often transmitted over HTTPS.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question stated that JSON is a protocol designed to facilitate data transfer over the internet, and it was framed in a context where JSON was being compared to other transport protocols, then option A could be considered correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse JSON with a protocol because it is commonly used in API communications, leading them to think it is a transport protocol rather than a data format.
✗JSON can be used only with Cisco DNA CenterWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
JSON is a platform-independent data format used by many APIs and services, not just Cisco DNA Center. It is supported by virtually all programming languages and is a standard for web APIs across different vendors.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were framed to ask about a proprietary API that only supports JSON for data interchange within Cisco DNA Center, then this option could be considered correct in that specific context.
Why candidates choose this
A student might associate JSON with Cisco DNA Center because it is commonly used in Cisco's REST APIs, but this does not mean it is exclusive to that platform.
✗JSON requires XML tags around each objectWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
JSON does not use XML tags; it uses a syntax of curly braces, colons, and commas to define objects and arrays. XML uses angle brackets for tags, which is a different markup language.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were to ask about a data format that requires XML tags for structuring data, such as in a comparison between XML and JSON, then this option would be correct. For example, a question could ask, 'Which format requires tags to define objects?'
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse JSON with XML because both are used for data interchange, but they have distinct syntaxes. The mention of 'tags' is a clear indicator of XML, not JSON.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Agentic AI in Network Operations
Key term
REST API
A REST API is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other over the internet using standard HTTP methods.
Key term
Extensible Markup Language
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a markup language that defines rules for encoding documents in a format that is both human-readable and machine-readable.
About these practice questions
This 200-301 question is part of Courseiva's 1,389-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.