200-901 Understanding and Using APIs Practice Question
An application uses NETCONF to configure a Cisco device. It sends an <edit-config> operation with the target 'running' and the operation 'merge'. Which statement about this operation is correct?
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
✓
It will merge the new data into the running configuration, creating or updating as needed.
In NETCONF, <edit-config> with 'merge' operation will update existing data if present, or create if not. The 'running' datastore is typically not directly writable; 'candidate' is used for changes then commit. However, some devices allow direct edit of 'running' with 'merge' if supported.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It will merge the new data into the running configuration, creating or updating as needed.
Why this is correct
'merge' merges the data into the target datastore.
- ✗
It will delete the specified data from the running configuration.
Why it's wrong here
That's 'delete' operation.
- ✗
It will remove all configuration and apply only the new data.
Why it's wrong here
That's not standard behavior.
- ✗
It will replace the entire running configuration with the new data.
Why it's wrong here
That's 'replace' operation, not 'merge'.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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