CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
Exhibit
Goal: Read existing data only
An automation script must retrieve the current configuration state of a device from a REST API without modifying anything. Which HTTP method should it use?
⚠ Common exam trap
Avoid confusing HTTP methods that modify data (POST, PUT, DELETE) with GET, which is read-only.
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
✓
GET
When a script only needs to read information, the normal REST choice is GET. In plain terms, GET asks the server, “Show me the current data,” without telling it to create, replace, or delete anything. That is why GET is the standard method for retrieving device state, configuration details, statistics, or inventory information from an API endpoint. The other methods imply change. POST commonly creates or submits data. PUT commonly updates an existing resource. DELETE removes something. For a read-only query, GET is the clean and expected method.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DELETE
Why it's wrong here
DELETE is wrong because it is an HTTP method whose sole purpose is to remove the identified resource from the server. Issuing DELETE against a network device would attempt to delete the configuration or the resource path itself, not return its contents. Even if the request were denied, it represents a state-changing operation, which directly contradicts the requirement to merely retrieve the current configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question asks for the method to remove a specific configuration setting from a device's REST API, the DELETE method would be correct. For example, if the question stated, 'An automation script must remove a specific configuration from a device using a REST API,' then DELETE would be the appropriate choice.
- ✓
GET
Why this is correct
GET is the correct choice because it is a safe, idempotent HTTP method defined by RFC 7231 specifically for retrieving the current representation of a resource. It performs no state change on the server, so the script can fetch the running configuration without risking any modification. The response body carries the requested configuration data, making GET the semantically exact operation for a read-only retrieval.
- ✗
PUT
Why it's wrong here
PUT is wrong because it is designed to replace or create a resource using the payload sent in the request body, not to fetch one. In network automation, PUT would overwrite the entire configuration with whatever data the script supplies, causing an unintended change. Although PUT is idempotent, its idempotency applies to repeated writes, and it cannot serve as a read operation for retrieving the existing configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
In a different scenario where the question asks for the method to update the configuration state of a device using a REST API, the PUT method would be correct, as it is specifically designed for resource updates.
- ✗
POST
Why it's wrong here
POST is wrong because it is intended for submitting data to be processed, typically creating a new subordinate resource or triggering an action on the server. Using POST to retrieve configuration would either create an unwanted object or execute an operation, both of which violate the requirement for a non-mutating read. Unlike GET, POST is not defined as a safe or idempotent method, so it cannot reliably be used to simply return the current configuration.
When this WOULD be correct
If the exam question asked which HTTP method should be used to send data to a server to create a new resource based on the current configuration state, then POST would be the correct answer.
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.
✓GETCorrect answer▾
Why this is correct
GET is the correct choice because it is a safe, idempotent HTTP method defined by RFC 7231 specifically for retrieving the current representation of a resource. It performs no state change on the server, so the script can fetch the running configuration without risking any modification. The response body carries the requested configuration data, making GET the semantically exact operation for a read-only retrieval.
✗DELETEWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The DELETE method is used to remove a resource from the server, which directly modifies the state of the device's configuration. Since the question specifies that the script must retrieve the configuration without making any modifications, DELETE is not appropriate.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question asks for the method to remove a specific configuration setting from a device's REST API, the DELETE method would be correct. For example, if the question stated, 'An automation script must remove a specific configuration from a device using a REST API,' then DELETE would be the appropriate choice.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may choose DELETE due to a misunderstanding of HTTP methods, confusing the action of retrieving information with the action of removing it, especially if they are not fully aware of the implications of each method.
✗PUTWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The PUT method is used to update or replace a resource on a server, which contradicts the requirement of retrieving the current configuration state without making any modifications.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a different scenario where the question asks for the method to update the configuration state of a device using a REST API, the PUT method would be correct, as it is specifically designed for resource updates.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse PUT with GET due to their similar roles in RESTful APIs, leading them to mistakenly believe that PUT can also be used for retrieving data, especially if they are less familiar with the specific functions of each HTTP method.
✗POSTWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
The POST method is used to send data to a server to create or update a resource, which contradicts the requirement of retrieving the current configuration state without modifying anything.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the exam question asked which HTTP method should be used to send data to a server to create a new resource based on the current configuration state, then POST would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse POST with data retrieval due to its common use in web applications, where forms often use POST to submit data, leading to the mistaken belief that it could also be used for fetching information.
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?”
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
VTP Versions and Configuration
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
HTTP
HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, the set of rules web browsers and servers use to communicate and transfer web pages over the internet.
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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.