CCNA AI and Network Operations Practice Question
Which two statements about RESTful APIs are correct? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
A frequent exam trap is the misconception that RESTful APIs require Layer 2 adjacency between client and server devices. Some candidates mistakenly believe that because RESTful APIs use HTTP, they must operate only within the same broadcast domain or VLAN. However, RESTful APIs function over routed IP networks just like any other web traffic, so Layer 2 adjacency is not necessary. Another trap is thinking that RESTful APIs replace routing protocols, which is incorrect since APIs only provide programmable access to device functions and do not handle routing or forwarding.
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
✓
They commonly use HTTP methods such as GET and POST.
REST commonly uses HTTP verbs and typically exchanges structured data such as JSON.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
They commonly use HTTP methods such as GET and POST.
Why this is correct
RESTful APIs are built around standard HTTP verbs, with GET and POST being the most fundamental. GET performs safe, idempotent resource retrieval, while POST submits data to create or process a resource, aligning with the request/response model of the web. These methods provide a uniform interface for clients to interact with server resources, independent of the underlying implementation. This design is why such APIs are called representational state transfer (REST).
- ✗
They require Layer 2 adjacency between client and server.
Why it's wrong here
Layer 2 adjacency means being directly connected to the same switch or broadcast domain, but RESTful APIs operate at the application layer over HTTP. HTTP runs on top of TCP/IP, which enables communication strictly through Layer 3 routing, across multiple networks, or even globally across the internet. Therefore, no direct Layer 2 connection is required; a client can access an API server on a completely different subnet as long as IP routing exists. This allows REST APIs to work over WANs and cloud environments.
When this WOULD be correct
If the question were about a specific protocol that operates at Layer 2, such as Ethernet, and asked about the requirements for communication between devices on the same local network, then this option could be correct.
- ✓
They often exchange structured data such as JSON.
Why this is correct
JSON is a lightweight, text-based data format that maps naturally to common programming language structures like objects and arrays. Because it is language-agnostic and easy to parse, JSON has become the dominant payload format for RESTful APIs, often replacing XML. It allows structured data such as strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, and nested objects to be exchanged between client and server over HTTP. This makes it a flexible and human-readable representation for resource state.
- ✗
They replace the need for routing protocols on the network.
Why it's wrong here
RESTful APIs are application-layer constructs that depend entirely on the underlying network stack for data delivery. Routing protocols, such as OSPF or BGP, determine the paths that IP packets take between the client and server, and without them, packets would never reach their destination. An API cannot influence or substitute this control-plane function; it simply sends and receives HTTP messages over an already functional IP network. Thus, APIs and routing protocols operate at completely different layers and are complementary.
When this WOULD be correct
In a question that asks about network architecture where RESTful APIs are integrated into a system that uses a flat network design, one might argue that they reduce the complexity of routing by allowing direct communication between services, thus making routing protocols less relevant in that specific context.
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.
✓They commonly use HTTP methods such as GET and POST.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
RESTful APIs are built around standard HTTP verbs, with GET and POST being the most fundamental. GET performs safe, idempotent resource retrieval, while POST submits data to create or process a resource, aligning with the request/response model of the web. These methods provide a uniform interface for clients to interact with server resources, independent of the underlying implementation. This design is why such APIs are called representational state transfer (REST).
✗They require Layer 2 adjacency between client and server.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RESTful APIs operate at the application layer (Layer 7) and use HTTP, which runs over TCP/IP. They do not require Layer 2 adjacency; clients and servers can be on different subnets or even across the internet, as long as IP connectivity exists.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
If the question were about a specific protocol that operates at Layer 2, such as Ethernet, and asked about the requirements for communication between devices on the same local network, then this option could be correct.
Why candidates choose this
Students might confuse the client-server model with direct physical connections, or think that APIs require a direct link like some legacy protocols. However, REST is designed to work over routed networks.
✗They replace the need for routing protocols on the network.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
RESTful APIs are application-layer interfaces that do not replace network-layer functions like routing. Routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP) are still required to ensure IP packets reach the correct destination; APIs simply provide a way to interact with services over that network.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
In a question that asks about network architecture where RESTful APIs are integrated into a system that uses a flat network design, one might argue that they reduce the complexity of routing by allowing direct communication between services, thus making routing protocols less relevant in that specific context.
Why candidates choose this
Some may think that because APIs enable communication between applications, they eliminate the need for underlying network protocols. However, APIs rely on the network stack and do not replace routing.
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?”
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
Go deeper
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Agentic AI in Network Operations
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.
Key term
JSON
JSON is a lightweight, text-based format for storing and exchanging data that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate.
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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.