This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of understanding and using apis. 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.
An automation script needs to update the hostname of a Cisco IOS-XE device via RESTCONF. Which HTTP method is appropriate?
PUT
PUT is used to replace the target resource with the request payload.
PATCH
Why wrong: PATCH is for partial updates, but Cisco RESTCONF implementations may not support it as widely; PUT is the standard for full replacement.
GET
Why wrong: GET is for retrieving data.
POST
Why wrong: POST is for creating a new resource, not updating.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
PUT
To update the hostname of a Cisco IOS-XE device via RESTCONF, the PUT HTTP method is appropriate because it performs a full replacement of the target resource. RESTCONF uses the YANG data model, and the hostname is a leaf node under the Cisco-IOS-XE-native YANG module. A PUT request with the complete updated hostname data replaces the existing configuration, aligning with RESTCONF's semantics for resource replacement.
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.
PUT
Why this is correct
PUT is used to replace the target resource with the request payload.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
PATCH
Why it's wrong here
PATCH is for partial updates, but Cisco RESTCONF implementations may not support it as widely; PUT is the standard for full replacement.
GET
Why it's wrong here
GET is for retrieving data.
POST
Why it's wrong here
POST is for creating a new resource, not updating.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between PUT and PATCH, and the trap here is that candidates familiar with RESTful APIs might assume PATCH is available for partial updates, but RESTCONF explicitly omits PATCH, requiring PUT for all replacements.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, RESTCONF (RFC 8040) maps HTTP methods to YANG datastore operations: PUT corresponds to the 'replace' operation on a data resource, while PATCH is not defined in the standard. For Cisco IOS-XE, the hostname is stored in the running configuration under the 'native/hostname' path in the Cisco-IOS-XE-native YANG module. A PUT request to that URI with a JSON payload like {'hostname': 'new-name'} replaces the existing value atomically, ensuring the device's configuration is updated without side effects.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Understanding and Using APIs — This question tests Understanding and Using APIs — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: PUT — To update the hostname of a Cisco IOS-XE device via RESTCONF, the PUT HTTP method is appropriate because it performs a full replacement of the target resource. RESTCONF uses the YANG data model, and the hostname is a leaf node under the Cisco-IOS-XE-native YANG module. A PUT request with the complete updated hostname data replaces the existing configuration, aligning with RESTCONF's semantics for resource replacement.
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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