350-601 Automation Practice Question
A data center automation script uses Python's requests library to call the NX-API for a Nexus 9000 switch. The script works but returns HTTP 400. Which is a likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between HTTP status codes (400 vs. 404 vs. connection errors) to see if candidates understand that a 400 specifically points to payload issues, not network or configuration problems.
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
✓
The request payload is malformed
HTTP 400 indicates a bad request, which in the context of NX-API typically means the JSON or XML payload sent to the switch does not conform to the expected schema. Common issues include missing required fields (e.g., 'ins_api' version, 'type', 'chunk', 'sid', 'input', 'outputformat'), incorrect JSON syntax, or invalid values for parameters like 'version' or 'type'. The requests library successfully delivered the HTTP request, but the NX-API rejected it due to malformed content.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The request payload is malformed
Why this is correct
400 Bad Request is client error.
- ✗
The switch has no management IP
Why it's wrong here
Would cause connection timeout.
- ✗
The script uses HTTP instead of HTTPS
Why it's wrong here
Would likely return a redirect or 301.
- ✗
The API is not enabled
Why it's wrong here
Would return 404 or 401.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 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 350-601 exam.