350-601 Automation Practice Question
What is the primary purpose of NX-API on Cisco Nexus switches in a data center automation context?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a programmatic API (NX-API) and a web-based GUI, leading candidates to confuse NX-API with the Device Manager web interface, which is a separate feature for manual browser-based management.
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
✓
To provide a RESTful API that allows programmatic access to CLI commands and structured data output.
NX-API provides a RESTful API interface on Cisco Nexus switches, enabling programmatic access to CLI commands and returning structured data in formats like JSON or XML. This is essential for data center automation because it allows external tools (e.g., Ansible, Python scripts) to configure and retrieve state from the switch without requiring interactive CLI sessions, directly supporting infrastructure-as-code workflows.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To replace SNMP for monitoring and alerting.
Why it's wrong here
While NX-API can be used for monitoring, its primary purpose is not to replace SNMP but to offer alternative programmatic access.
- ✗
To enable direct configuration from a web browser without CLI.
Why it's wrong here
Direct browser configuration is not the purpose; programmatic access is.
- ✗
To create a web-based GUI for manual switch configuration.
Why it's wrong here
NX-API does not provide a GUI; it is an API for automation scripts.
- ✓
To provide a RESTful API that allows programmatic access to CLI commands and structured data output.
Why this is correct
NX-API translates CLI commands into JSON/REST calls, returning structured data for automation.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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