Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →- A
API key with HMAC signature
Correct method.
- B
OAuth2 token from Webex
Why wrong: Not used.
- C
Session cookie
Why wrong: Not used.
- D
Basic authentication with username/password
Why wrong: Not used.
Question 91 of 505
200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of cisco platforms and development. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer uses Cisco Intersight API to manage UCS servers. Which authentication method is required for Intersight API calls?
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
✓
API key with HMAC signature
Cisco Intersight API requires API key authentication with HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code) signing for all REST API calls. The developer generates an API key pair (private and public) in the Intersight GUI, then uses the private key to create an HMAC-SHA256 signature over the request headers and payload. This signature is included in the Authorization header, ensuring request integrity and non-repudiation without transmitting the secret key over the network.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
API key with HMAC signature
Why this is correct
Correct method.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
OAuth2 token from Webex
Why it's wrong here
Not used.
- ✗
Session cookie
Why it's wrong here
Not used.
- ✗
Basic authentication with username/password
Why it's wrong here
Not used.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between web UI authentication (session cookies) and API authentication (HMAC keys), and candidates mistakenly choose session cookies because they are familiar from the Intersight web interface, forgetting that API calls require a different, stateless mechanism.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The HMAC signature is computed using the SHA-256 hash algorithm over a canonicalized request string that includes the HTTP method, content-type, date header, and request body digest. The private key is never sent; instead, the public key ID is included in the Authorization header, allowing Intersight to verify the signature using the stored public key. This approach aligns with AWS Signature Version 4 and is critical for environments where API calls must be automated without interactive login, such as CI/CD pipelines or infrastructure-as-code tools.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Cisco Platforms and Development — This question tests Cisco Platforms and Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: API key with HMAC signature — Cisco Intersight API requires API key authentication with HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code) signing for all REST API calls. The developer generates an API key pair (private and public) in the Intersight GUI, then uses the private key to create an HMAC-SHA256 signature over the request headers and payload. This signature is included in the Authorization header, ensuring request integrity and non-repudiation without transmitting the secret key over the network.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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