CCNP Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is designing a Python script to interact with a Cisco Catalyst Center (formerly DNA Center) appliance using its Intent API. The script must retrieve a list of all network devices and then update the location of a specific device. Which two steps are required to authenticate and authorize the API requests? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that credentials can be passed directly in each API call or that the API needs to be enabled manually, when actually a token must be obtained and reused.
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
✓
Send a POST request to /dna/system/api/v1/auth/token with Basic Authentication credentials to obtain a token.
To authenticate with the Catalyst Center Intent API, the engineer must first obtain a token by sending a POST request to the authentication endpoint with Basic Authentication. Then, that token must be included in the X-Auth-Token header for all subsequent API calls. This two-step process ensures secure, token-based access to the API.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Send a POST request to /dna/system/api/v1/auth/token with Basic Authentication credentials to obtain a token.
Why this is correct
The Catalyst Center Intent API uses token-based authentication. The engineer must first authenticate by sending a POST request to the /dna/system/api/v1/auth/token endpoint with Basic Authentication (username and password). The response contains a token that must be included in subsequent API calls as an X-Auth-Token header. This is the standard method for API access.
- ✗
Configure a separate API user with role-based access control (RBAC) permissions to allow read and write operations.
Why it's wrong here
While RBAC is important for API access, it is not a step in the authentication process itself. The question asks for steps to authenticate and authorize API requests. The engineer must obtain and use a token. RBAC determines what the authenticated user can do, but it does not replace the need for token-based authentication. This option is a prerequisite but not a direct step in the API call flow.
- ✗
Enable the Intent API on the Catalyst Center appliance by running the intent-api enable command in the CLI.
Why it's wrong here
The Intent API is enabled by default on Cisco Catalyst Center; there is no such CLI command to enable it. The API is accessible via HTTPS. The engineer does not need to enable it manually. This option is a distractor; the actual steps involve obtaining and using a token. No CLI command is required for API enablement.
- ✓
Use the token obtained from the authentication endpoint in the X-Auth-Token header for subsequent API calls.
Why this is correct
After obtaining the token, it must be included in the X-Auth-Token header of all subsequent API requests. This header authenticates and authorizes the request. The token has an expiration time, typically one hour, after which re-authentication is required. This is the correct way to maintain an authenticated session with the Catalyst Center API.
- ✗
Include the username and password in every API request as query parameters.
Why it's wrong here
Passing credentials as query parameters is insecure and not supported by the Catalyst Center Intent API. The API requires a token obtained from the authentication endpoint. Credentials are only sent once during token generation. Subsequent requests use the token, not raw credentials, ensuring better security and session management.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.