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REST API Best Practices in Cisco Environments
Which TWO of the following are best practices when using REST APIs in Cisco networking environments?
Quick Answer
The answer is implementing caching to reduce redundant API calls and handling HTTP error codes like 4xx and 5xx responses. Caching is a best practice because it minimizes network overhead and latency by storing frequently accessed data locally, which is especially critical in Cisco environments where APIs for DNA Center or Meraki may throttle requests under heavy load. Handling error codes ensures robust integration, as 4xx codes indicate client issues like authentication failure (401) or rate limiting (429), while 5xx codes signal server overload (503), allowing your application to retry or log appropriately. On the Cisco DevNet Associate 200-901 exam, this tests your understanding of REST API reliability and efficiency, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must choose practices that prevent silent failures in network automation. A common trap is assuming all caching is stateless or ignoring error handling for transient faults. Remember the mnemonic “Cache and Catch” to recall that caching boosts performance while catching HTTP errors ensures resilience.
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the misconception that polling frequently (e.g., every second) is acceptable for real-time data, but the trap is that this violates API rate-limiting best practices and ignores the recommended use of webhooks or longer intervals.
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
✓
Always handle HTTP error codes like 4xx and 5xx.
Handling HTTP error codes like 4xx (client errors) and 5xx (server errors) is essential for robust REST API integration. In Cisco environments, APIs such as those for DNA Center or Meraki return these codes to indicate issues like authentication failure (401), rate limiting (429), or server overload (503). Proper error handling allows the application to retry, log, or alert appropriately, preventing silent failures and ensuring reliable network automation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Send credentials as plain text in every request.
Why it's wrong here
Insecure; use tokens.
- ✗
Poll the API every second to get real-time updates.
Why it's wrong here
Polling is inefficient; use webhooks.
- ✓
Always handle HTTP error codes like 4xx and 5xx.
Why this is correct
Error handling is critical for robustness.
- ✗
Embed API keys directly in the URL query parameters.
Why it's wrong here
Exposes keys; use headers.
- ✓
Implement caching to reduce redundant API calls.
Why this is correct
Caching improves performance.
Go deeper
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About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on 200-901
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Match each HTTP method to its typical use case in REST APIs.
medium- ✓ A.GET: Retrieve a resource
- ✓ B.POST: Create a new resource
- ✓ C.PUT: Replace an existing resource
- ✓ D.DELETE: Remove a resource
- E.GET: Create a new resource
- F.POST: Retrieve a resource
Why A: Standard RESTful HTTP methods: GET retrieves, POST creates, PUT replaces, DELETE removes. Common confusions swap GET with POST or misuse PUT for partial updates (which is PATCH).
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-901 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-901 exam.