200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of cisco platforms and development. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 DevOps engineer is configuring a CI/CD pipeline that uses Cisco DNA Center API to deploy network configurations. Which two best practices should be followed? (Choose two.)
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Store API credentials in environment variables
Storing API credentials in environment variables (Option C) is a security best practice because it prevents hardcoding secrets in source code, which could be exposed in version control. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and is recommended for CI/CD pipelines interacting with Cisco DNA Center API, as it allows credentials to be managed externally and rotated without code changes.
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.
✗
Use a single API call for all changes
Why it's wrong here
Not always possible and can lead to large payloads.
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Implement retry logic for API calls
Why this is correct
Handles transient network errors and rate limiting.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use hardcoded API keys in scripts
Why it's wrong here
Hardcoding secrets is a security risk.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that disabling SSL verification speeds up execution, but in reality, the overhead is negligible, and the security risk makes it unacceptable in any production pipeline.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Cisco DNA Center API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication, where a token is obtained by sending client credentials (username/password or API client ID/secret) to the /dna/system/api/v1/auth/token endpoint. Storing these credentials in environment variables (e.g., $DNA_CENTER_USERNAME, $DNA_CENTER_PASSWORD) allows the CI/CD pipeline to inject them at runtime, supporting secret management tools like HashiCorp Vault or AWS Secrets Manager. Retry logic (Option D) is critical because the API may return 429 (Too Many Requests) or 503 (Service Unavailable) under load; implementing exponential backoff with jitter prevents overwhelming the controller and ensures eventual consistency.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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.
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: Store API credentials in environment variables — Storing API credentials in environment variables (Option C) is a security best practice because it prevents hardcoding secrets in source code, which could be exposed in version control. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and is recommended for CI/CD pipelines interacting with Cisco DNA Center API, as it allows credentials to be managed externally and rotated without code changes.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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