This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure and automation. 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 large enterprise uses Cisco SD-Access with fabric automation. The network administrator wants to automate the process of adding a new user device to a specific virtual network (VN) based on its MAC address. Which API or tool should they use?
Cisco ISE REST API
ISE manages endpoint identities and can assign VNs based on MAC.
Ansible playbook with ios_config
Why wrong: Ansible is not fabric-aware for SD-Access.
Cisco DNA Center REST API
Why wrong: DNA Center manages fabric but uses ISE for endpoint policy.
Cisco APIC-EM REST API
Why wrong: APIC-EM is deprecated and not used for SD-Access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Cisco ISE REST API
Cisco ISE REST API is the correct choice because ISE is the policy and authentication engine in SD-Access that manages endpoint identity and virtual network (VN) assignments. When a new user device is added, the administrator can use the ISE REST API to programmatically create an endpoint entry with its MAC address and map it to a specific VN, leveraging ISE's policy sets and authorization profiles. This directly automates the VN assignment without requiring changes to fabric underlay or overlay configurations.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cisco ISE REST API
Why this is correct
ISE manages endpoint identities and can assign VNs based on MAC.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Ansible playbook with ios_config
Why it's wrong here
Ansible is not fabric-aware for SD-Access.
Cisco DNA Center REST API
Why it's wrong here
DNA Center manages fabric but uses ISE for endpoint policy.
Cisco APIC-EM REST API
Why it's wrong here
APIC-EM is deprecated and not used for SD-Access.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between fabric provisioning tools (DNA Center) and policy enforcement tools (ISE), so the trap here is assuming that DNA Center's REST API can directly manage endpoint-to-VN mappings, when in fact ISE is the correct tool for identity-based VN assignment in SD-Access.
Detailed technical explanation
In Cisco SD-Access, endpoint-to-VN mapping is enforced through ISE's authorization policies, which use the MAC address as an identity attribute. The ISE REST API allows creation of endpoint groups and policy sets that assign a specific virtual network (e.g., VN ID or SGT) to the device upon authentication. This is distinct from fabric underlay automation (DNA Center) or device-level CLI (Ansible), as the VN assignment is a policy decision made at the network edge via ISE's RADIUS-based authentication and authorization.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Infrastructure and Automation — This question tests Infrastructure and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Cisco ISE REST API — Cisco ISE REST API is the correct choice because ISE is the policy and authentication engine in SD-Access that manages endpoint identity and virtual network (VN) assignments. When a new user device is added, the administrator can use the ISE REST API to programmatically create an endpoint entry with its MAC address and map it to a specific VN, leveraging ISE's policy sets and authorization profiles. This directly automates the VN assignment without requiring changes to fabric underlay or overlay configurations.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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