- A
The application session timeout is shorter than the token lifetime; align the application session timeout to the token expiration or implement silent token refresh
Short application session timeout causes early logout; aligning or using silent refresh solves it.
- B
The application is not properly validating the token expiry and needs to refresh tokens proactively
Why wrong: Token refresh would normally prevent logouts, but the issue is likely session timeout, not token expiry.
- C
The IdP is configured to log out users automatically after 5 minutes; reconfigure IdP session settings
Why wrong: The IdP session might be separate; but users would see IdP logout page, not just app logout.
- D
The OAuth 2.0 access token is set to expire in 5 minutes; increase it to 1 hour
Why wrong: If tokens expired in 5 minutes, users would be logged out, but the problem says IdP token has 1-hour expiration.
200-901 Application Deployment and Security Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of application deployment and security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 company has a web application running on Cisco DNA Center. The application uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication with an external identity provider (IdP). Recently, users have reported that they are being logged out unexpectedly after a few minutes of inactivity, even though the IdP token has a 1-hour expiration. The application developer wants to maintain usability while keeping security controls. What is the most likely cause and solution?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 application session timeout is shorter than the token lifetime; align the application session timeout to the token expiration or implement silent token refresh
The most likely cause is that the application's session timeout is set to a shorter duration than the OAuth 2.0 token's 1-hour expiration. When the application session expires, the user is logged out even though the IdP token is still valid. The solution is to align the application session timeout with the token expiration or implement silent token refresh using a refresh token, which allows the application to obtain a new access token without user interaction, maintaining usability while preserving security.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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 application session timeout is shorter than the token lifetime; align the application session timeout to the token expiration or implement silent token refresh
Why this is correct
Short application session timeout causes early logout; aligning or using silent refresh solves it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The application is not properly validating the token expiry and needs to refresh tokens proactively
Why it's wrong here
Token refresh would normally prevent logouts, but the issue is likely session timeout, not token expiry.
- ✗
The IdP is configured to log out users automatically after 5 minutes; reconfigure IdP session settings
Why it's wrong here
The IdP session might be separate; but users would see IdP logout page, not just app logout.
- ✗
The OAuth 2.0 access token is set to expire in 5 minutes; increase it to 1 hour
Why it's wrong here
If tokens expired in 5 minutes, users would be logged out, but the problem says IdP token has 1-hour expiration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between token expiration and session timeout, where candidates mistakenly focus on token refresh or IdP configuration instead of recognizing that the application's session management is the root cause.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In OAuth 2.0, access tokens are typically short-lived (e.g., 1 hour) and can be refreshed using a long-lived refresh token. The application session timeout is a separate server-side or client-side timer that controls how long a user's authenticated session persists. If the session timeout is shorter than the token lifetime, the user will be logged out prematurely. Silent token refresh leverages the refresh token to obtain a new access token in the background, extending the session without requiring re-authentication. This is commonly implemented using the 'prompt=none' parameter in OpenID Connect or by using the refresh token grant type as defined in RFC 6749.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Application Deployment and Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Application Deployment and Security — This question tests Application Deployment and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The application session timeout is shorter than the token lifetime; align the application session timeout to the token expiration or implement silent token refresh — The most likely cause is that the application's session timeout is set to a shorter duration than the OAuth 2.0 token's 1-hour expiration. When the application session expires, the user is logged out even though the IdP token is still valid. The solution is to align the application session timeout with the token expiration or implement silent token refresh using a refresh token, which allows the application to obtain a new access token without user interaction, maintaining usability while preserving security.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.
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