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.
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of understanding and using apis. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO of the following are best practices when using REST APIs in Cisco networking environments?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Send credentials as plain text in every request.
Why wrong: Insecure; use tokens.
Poll the API every second to get real-time updates.
Why wrong: Polling is inefficient; use webhooks.
Always handle HTTP error codes like 4xx and 5xx.
Error handling is critical for robustness.
Embed API keys directly in the URL query parameters.
Why wrong: Exposes keys; use headers.
Implement caching to reduce redundant API calls.
Caching improves performance.
Answer choices
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.
Option C is correct because 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.
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.
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, REST APIs rely on HTTP status codes as defined in RFC 7231; for example, a 429 Too Many Requests response includes a Retry-After header that clients must respect to avoid being blocked. In Cisco DNA Center, the API enforces rate limits per token, and ignoring 429 responses can lead to temporary account suspension. Real-world scenarios, such as automating network configuration backups, require handling 503 Service Unavailable during maintenance windows to retry with exponential backoff.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Understanding and Using APIs — study guide chapter
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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: Always handle HTTP error codes like 4xx and 5xx. — Option C is correct because 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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.
mediumWhy : These are standard RESTful HTTP methods.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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