200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
A developer is using the Cisco NX-OS API on a Nexus switch. The developer wants to retrieve the running configuration using a Python script that sends an HTTP POST request. Which command must be configured on the switch to enable this capability?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse NX-API with other management protocols like NETCONF or RESTCONF, or assuming that enabling the HTTP server is sufficient, when the specific 'feature nxapi' command is required.
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
✓
feature nxapi
To enable the NX-API on a Cisco NX-OS device, the 'feature nxapi' command must be configured. This allows the switch to accept HTTP/HTTPS requests for CLI commands. Other features like NETCONF or RESTCONF are separate protocols and do not enable NX-API.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ip http server
Why it's wrong here
The 'ip http server' command enables the HTTP server for web-based management, but it does not enable the NX-API. NX-API requires the 'feature nxapi' command. While 'ip http server' might allow access to the web UI, it does not provide the NX-API endpoints. Using only this command will not allow the developer to send NX-API requests.
- ✓
feature nxapi
Why this is correct
The 'feature nxapi' command enables the NX-API feature on a Cisco NX-OS device. This allows the switch to accept HTTP/HTTPS requests for CLI commands and retrieve configuration or operational data. Without this feature enabled, the switch will not respond to NX-API requests. It is the essential first step for using the NX-OS API.
- ✗
feature netconf
Why it's wrong here
The 'feature netconf' command enables NETCONF on NX-OS, which is a different protocol. While NETCONF can also retrieve configuration, the question specifies using HTTP POST, which is characteristic of NX-API. Enabling NETCONF does not enable the HTTP-based NX-API. The developer would need to use a NETCONF client instead of HTTP POST.
- ✗
feature restconf
Why it's wrong here
The 'feature restconf' command enables RESTCONF on NX-OS, which is a RESTful API based on YANG models. While RESTCONF uses HTTP, it is distinct from NX-API. The question specifies HTTP POST to retrieve running configuration, which is typical of NX-API's CLI-based interface. Enabling RESTCONF would not enable NX-API, and the endpoints would differ.
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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.