This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. 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 network automation script uses RESTCONF to configure a router. The script receives an HTTP 409 Conflict response. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The resource already exists
RESTCONF uses HTTP status codes to indicate the result of an operation. An HTTP 409 Conflict specifically means the request could not be completed due to a conflict with the current state of the resource. In the context of a network automation script using RESTCONF to configure a router, this most commonly occurs when the script attempts to create a resource (e.g., an interface or VLAN) that already exists, violating the resource's uniqueness constraint.
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.
✓
The resource already exists
Why this is correct
A 409 Conflict typically occurs when trying to create a resource that already exists.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The router is unreachable
Why it's wrong here
Unreachable would result in a connection timeout or no response, not a 409.
✗
The request body is malformed
Why it's wrong here
Malformed bodies typically return 400 Bad Request.
✗
Incorrect authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication errors result in 401 Unauthorized or 403 Forbidden, not 409.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between HTTP 409 Conflict (resource state conflict) and HTTP 400 Bad Request (malformed syntax), leading candidates to confuse a semantic conflict with a syntax error.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RESTCONF (RFC 8040) maps HTTP methods to NETCONF datastore operations: POST creates a new resource, PUT replaces or creates, PATCH modifies, and DELETE removes. A 409 Conflict arises when a POST or PUT operation targets a resource that already exists in the YANG datastore (e.g., a specific interface name) and the server's configuration policy forbids duplicate entries. This is distinct from a 412 Precondition Failed, which relates to ETag or If-Match header mismatches.
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 help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.
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.
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The resource already exists — RESTCONF uses HTTP status codes to indicate the result of an operation. An HTTP 409 Conflict specifically means the request could not be completed due to a conflict with the current state of the resource. In the context of a network automation script using RESTCONF to configure a router, this most commonly occurs when the script attempts to create a resource (e.g., an interface or VLAN) that already exists, violating the resource's uniqueness constraint.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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