350-601 Automation Practice Question
A team is using Cisco DCNM for fabric management. They need to integrate with an external CI/CD pipeline. Which API should they use to trigger a network configuration change?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between device-level APIs (like NX-API) and fabric-level management APIs (like DCNM REST API), leading candidates to choose NX-API because they assume it is the most direct way to configure switches, but they miss that the question specifically requires integration with a CI/CD pipeline for fabric management, which demands a centralized, orchestrated approach.
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
✓
DCNM REST API
The DCNM REST API is the correct choice because it provides a programmatic, northbound interface specifically designed for integrating Cisco DCNM with external CI/CD pipelines. This API allows you to trigger network configuration changes at the fabric level, abstracting the complexity of individual switches and ensuring consistency across the entire fabric, which is essential for automated, version-controlled deployments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SNMP SET
Why it's wrong here
Connectionless and not suitable for configuration changes.
- ✓
DCNM REST API
Why this is correct
Centralized northbound API, ideal for CI/CD.
- ✗
NX-API on each switch
Why it's wrong here
Per-switch, not centralized; adds complexity.
- ✗
CLI via SSH
Why it's wrong here
Not automated, requires interactive sessions.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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