easyMultiple Choice
200-901 Practice Question: A developer is designing a REST API for a network…
A developer is designing a REST API for a network automation tool. Which HTTP method should be used to retrieve the current configuration of a network device?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-901 often tests the mapping of CRUD operations to HTTP methods, so candidates must remember GET=read, POST=create, PUT/PATCH=update, DELETE=delete, and not confuse retrieval with submission.
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
✓
GET
GET is the HTTP method defined for retrieving a representation of a resource without side effects, making it the correct choice for reading a network device's current configuration. It is safe and idempotent, so repeated calls return the same result and do not alter state. In a REST API for network automation, GET /devices/{id}/config would be the idiomatic design.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
DELETE
Why it's wrong here
DELETE removes the target resource, so issuing it against a device configuration would attempt deletion rather than retrieval. It is tempting because REST maps CRUD operations onto HTTP methods, and DELETE is a valid method for removing resources. Retrieval requires GET, which is safe and returns the representation.
- ✓
GET
Why this is correct
GET is the safe, idempotent HTTP method defined for retrieving a representation of a resource without altering server state. Reading a device's running configuration is a pure retrieval, so GET satisfies the requirement while POST, PUT and DELETE would imply modification.
- ✗
PUT
Why it's wrong here
PUT replaces the resource at the target URI with the enclosed payload, so it writes configuration rather than returning it. It is tempting because PUT is idempotent and commonly used for configuration updates in network automation APIs. Retrieval requires GET, which returns the current representation without side effects.
- ✗
POST
Why it's wrong here
POST submits data to the server for processing, typically creating a subordinate resource, so it does not retrieve the configuration. It is tempting because POST is the general-purpose method for actions and queries in many APIs. Retrieval requires GET, which is safe and returns the representation.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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