200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
A developer is using the Cisco NX-OS REST API (NX-API) to configure a Cisco Nexus switch. The developer wants to send a JSON payload to create a new VLAN. Which HTTP method and headers are required to use the NX-API REST interface?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming PUT is used for creation in REST, but NX-API specifically uses POST for configuration changes, and the Content-Type must match the payload format.
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 with Content-Type: application/json and a JSON body containing the VLAN configuration.
NX-API REST uses HTTP POST to send configuration payloads. When sending JSON, the Content-Type header must be application/json. The body contains the JSON representation of the configuration, such as the VLAN object. Other methods or content types do not match the requirement to send a JSON payload for configuration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
POST with Content-Type: application/xml and an XML body containing the VLAN configuration.
Why it's wrong here
NX-API REST supports both JSON and XML, but the question specifies sending a JSON payload. Using application/xml with an XML body contradicts the requirement to send JSON. The Content-Type must match the body format, so it should be application/json.
- ✓
POST with Content-Type: application/json and a JSON body containing the VLAN configuration.
Why this is correct
NX-API REST uses HTTP POST to send configuration commands or JSON payloads. The Content-Type header must be application/json when sending JSON. The body contains the configuration in JSON format, such as the VLAN creation object. This is the standard way to configure via NX-API REST.
- ✗
PUT with Content-Type: application/json and a JSON body containing the VLAN configuration.
Why it's wrong here
While PUT is used in some REST APIs for updates, NX-API REST uses POST for configuration changes. PUT is not supported for creating VLANs in NX-API. Using PUT would result in an error or unexpected behavior because the API expects POST for configuration operations.
- ✗
GET with Content-Type: application/json and a JSON body containing the VLAN configuration.
Why it's wrong here
GET is used to retrieve data, not to configure. Sending a body with GET is not standard and NX-API does not support configuration via GET. The developer must use POST to create a VLAN. GET would only return information and not apply the configuration.
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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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