easyMultiple Choice
200-901 Practice Question: A developer is automating VLAN configuration on a…
A developer is automating VLAN configuration on a Cisco switch using REST API. Which HTTP method should be used to create a new VLAN?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between POST and PUT, where candidates mistakenly choose PUT because they think it can 'create or update' a resource, but in REST APIs for Cisco devices, PUT requires a known resource URI and is not used for server-assigned creation of new VLANs.
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
✓
POST
To create a new VLAN resource on a Cisco switch via REST API, the POST method is correct because it is designed to create a subordinate resource under a parent collection. In RESTful APIs, POST is used to send data to the server to create a new entity, such as a VLAN, and the server assigns a unique identifier (e.g., VLAN ID) to the new resource. This aligns with the RESTful principle for resource creation, as specified in RFC 7231.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
PUT
Why it's wrong here
PUT replaces the full state of a resource at a client-known URI, whereas a new VLAN has no assigned identifier yet. It is tempting because it does write configuration, but it is used to overwrite an existing resource; POST to the collection endpoint creates the VLAN and returns its location.
- ✓
POST
Why this is correct
POST targets the VLAN collection resource, so the switch allocates the new VLAN identifier and returns it in the response. PUT would require the client to supply the VLAN ID in the URI, which suits replacement of an existing resource rather than creation.
- ✗
GET
Why it's wrong here
GET is a safe, idempotent read that retrieves a representation and cannot create a VLAN; it carries no request body. It is tempting because it is the method used to verify a VLAN exists after creation, but POST is the method that submits configuration to the collection endpoint.
- ✗
PATCH
Why it's wrong here
PATCH applies a partial modification to an existing resource, so it cannot create a VLAN that does not yet exist. It is tempting because it writes configuration, but it targets an already-identified resource; POST to the VLAN collection endpoint is what instantiates a new object.
- ✗
DELETE
Why it's wrong here
DELETE removes an existing resource and cannot create a VLAN. It is tempting because it is a write method used in VLAN lifecycle management, but it operates on an already-existing resource URI; POST to the collection endpoint is what instantiates the new VLAN.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.