200-901 Infrastructure and Automation Practice Question
A network administrator automates the provisioning of Meraki MX security appliances using the Meraki Dashboard API. The Python script reads a CSV file with site details and creates VLANs, firewall rules, and VPN settings. Recently, the script started throwing an HTTP 429 error. The script is single-threaded and makes fewer than 10 requests per second. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the 429 error?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume the default API key rate limit is the only constraint, overlooking that the organization-level rate limit can be lower and is the actual cause of the 429 error.
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
✓
The organization has a lower rate limit than the API key's default.
The HTTP 429 (Too Many Requests) error indicates the client has exceeded the rate limit imposed by the Meraki Dashboard API. Even though the script makes fewer than 10 requests per second, the organization-level rate limit can be lower than the default API key limit. Option D is correct because the organization's rate limit overrides the default, and the script's request rate may still exceed that lower threshold.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The API key has been revoked.
Why it's wrong here
Revoked key gives 401, not 429.
- ✗
The rate limit for the API key is 5 requests per second.
Why it's wrong here
Default per-API-key limit is 10 req/s; if under that, 429 unlikely.
- ✗
The Meraki cloud is under maintenance.
Why it's wrong here
Maintenance returns 503 Service Unavailable, not 429.
- ✓
The organization has a lower rate limit than the API key's default.
Why this is correct
Rate limits are applied at multiple levels; organization-level limit may be lower.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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