Quick Answer
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. On the Cisco DCCOR 350-601 exam, this concept tests your understanding of how to bridge network operations with DevOps toolchains, often appearing in scenario-based questions where a team needs to automate fabric-wide changes without manual switch-by-switch access. A common trap is confusing the DCNM REST API with the NX-API on individual switches; remember that DCNM’s API operates as a fabric-level orchestrator, not a device-level interface. Memory tip: Think “DCNM REST = fabric-level CI/CD trigger,” while NX-API is for single-switch scripting.
This 350-601 practice question tests your understanding of automation. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
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?
SNMP SET
Why wrong: Connectionless and not suitable for configuration changes.
DCNM REST API
Centralized northbound API, ideal for CI/CD.
NX-API on each switch
Why wrong: Per-switch, not centralized; adds complexity.
CLI via SSH
Why wrong: Not automated, requires interactive sessions.
Answer choices
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.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
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.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, the DCNM REST API uses JSON payloads to interact with the DCNM controller, which then translates the intent into NX-OS configurations using NX-API or CLI internally. This abstraction allows the CI/CD pipeline to treat the entire fabric as a single programmable entity, enabling features like configuration validation, rollback, and compliance checks before changes are applied. In real-world scenarios, this integration is critical for maintaining network state consistency across hundreds of switches in a data center fabric, where even a single misconfiguration can cause widespread outages.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 350-601 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Automation — study guide chapter
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Automation practice questions
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All 350-601 questions
500 questions across all exam domains
Cisco DCCOR / CCNP Data Center Core 350-601 study guide
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350-601 practice test guide
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FAQ
Automation — This question tests Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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