Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
GET /api/v1/interfaces Headers: Accept: application/json Response: HTTP/1.1 401 Unauthorized
Exhibit: An API call returns HTTP status code 401. What does that usually mean?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
The resource was moved permanently
That is associated with 301.
B
Distractor review
The request was successful but no content was returned
That is associated with 204.
C
Best answer
Authentication is required or the credentials are invalid
401 points to an authentication problem.
D
Distractor review
The server cannot parse JSON
That is more consistent with a 400-type client error, not specifically 401.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A frequent exam trap is confusing the 401 Unauthorized status code with other HTTP errors such as 403 Forbidden or 400 Bad Request. Candidates might incorrectly assume a 401 means the server cannot parse the request or that the resource was moved, which are actually indicated by 400 and 301 status codes respectively. This misunderstanding leads to incorrect troubleshooting steps in automation scenarios. Remember, 401 always points to missing or invalid authentication credentials, not to resource relocation or malformed requests.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
HTTP status codes are standardized responses from web servers to indicate the result of a client's request. The 401 Unauthorized status code specifically signals that the client must authenticate itself to get the requested response. This means the server has received the request but refuses to authorize it without valid credentials. In Cisco networking and automation contexts, APIs often require authentication tokens or credentials to access device data or configuration endpoints securely. When a Cisco device or network management system returns a 401 status, it means the authentication credentials are missing, expired, or invalid. The client must provide valid authentication, such as a username/password or token, to proceed. This is different from other HTTP codes like 403 Forbidden, which indicates the credentials are valid but access is denied, or 400 Bad Request, which signals malformed syntax. Understanding this distinction helps in troubleshooting API access issues during network automation or programmability tasks. A common exam trap is confusing 401 Unauthorized with other HTTP status codes like 403 Forbidden or 400 Bad Request. Candidates may mistakenly think 401 means the server cannot parse the request or that the resource moved. In practice, a 401 response always relates to authentication failure, not resource relocation or parsing errors. Recognizing this helps avoid misdiagnosing API call failures when automating Cisco device management or integrating network programmability solutions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- A 401 HTTP status code indicates the client request lacks valid authentication credentials required by the server.
- Cisco network devices and APIs require authentication tokens or credentials to authorize access to protected resources.
- A 401 response differs from 403 Forbidden, which means credentials are valid but access is denied by policy.
- HTTP 401 errors commonly occur when tokens are missing, expired, or invalid in network automation API calls.
- Understanding HTTP status codes helps troubleshoot API access issues in Cisco network programmability environments.
- A 301 status code indicates a resource was moved permanently and is unrelated to authentication failures.
- A 204 status code means the request succeeded but returned no content, not an authentication problem.
- 400-series errors like 400 Bad Request indicate client syntax errors, not authentication issues like 401.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A router learns the same prefix from both OSPF and EIGRP. Which route is installed by default?
Question 2
A router shows this output: R1#show ip ospf neighbor Neighbor ID Pri State Dead Time Address Interface 10.1.1.2 1 FULL/DR 00:00:34 192.168.12.2 GigabitEthernet0/0 10.1.1.3 1 2WAY/DROTHER 00:00:39 192.168.12.3 GigabitEthernet0/0 Which statement is correct?
Question 3
What is the OSPF metric called?
Question 4
A non-root switch has two uplinks toward the root bridge. One path has a lower total STP cost than the other. What role will the lower-cost uplink have?
Question 5
A router interface applies this ACL inbound: 10 deny tcp any any eq 80 20 permit ip any any A user reports that web browsing to a server by IP address fails, but ping works. Which statement best explains the behavior?
Question 6
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
A 401 HTTP status code indicates the client request lacks valid authentication credentials required by the server.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Authentication is required or the credentials are invalid — A 401 response means the request lacks valid authentication credentials. The token may be missing, expired, or invalid.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
Discussion
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