200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
A developer is using the Cisco DNA Center Intent API to retrieve a list of network devices. The API requires a token obtained from the authentication endpoint. The developer's script successfully authenticates and receives a token, but subsequent GET requests to /dna/intent/api/v1/network-device return a 401 Unauthorized error. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a 401 always means the token is expired or that credentials are wrong, when in fact the token may simply not be transmitted in the required header.
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 token is not being sent in the X-Auth-Token header.
After authenticating to Cisco DNA Center, the returned token must be included in the X-Auth-Token header on all subsequent API requests. A missing or incorrectly named header causes a 401 Unauthorized response. The other options are less likely: token expiration would not occur immediately, the endpoint accepts GET, and Basic authentication is not used once a token is obtained.
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 developer must include a Basic authentication header with username and password.
Why it's wrong here
Cisco DNA Center uses token-based authentication for its Intent API. Once a token is obtained, it should be sent in the X-Auth-Token header. Including Basic authentication instead of the token would not work and would likely still result in a 401. The correct approach is to use the token as designed.
- ✗
The API endpoint requires a POST request instead of GET.
Why it's wrong here
The /dna/intent/api/v1/network-device endpoint accepts GET requests to retrieve device lists. Using POST would not cause a 401 Unauthorized; it might cause a 405 Method Not Allowed. The 401 error specifically points to an authentication or authorization issue, not an HTTP method mismatch.
- ✗
The token has expired and must be refreshed.
Why it's wrong here
While tokens do expire, the scenario states the developer just successfully authenticated and received a token, so expiration is unlikely to be the immediate cause. A 401 immediately after authentication usually indicates the token is not being sent correctly, not that it has expired. Token expiration typically occurs after a longer period.
- ✓
The token is not being sent in the X-Auth-Token header.
Why this is correct
Cisco DNA Center requires the authentication token to be included in the X-Auth-Token header for all subsequent API calls. If the token is omitted or placed in a different header, the API returns 401 Unauthorized. The developer must add the header with the token value received from the authentication endpoint.
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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
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.