easyMultiple Choice
200-901 Practice Question: When designing a REST API endpoint to update a…
When designing a REST API endpoint to update a network device's configuration, which HTTP method should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between PUT and PATCH, where candidates mistakenly choose PATCH because they think 'update' always implies partial changes, but the question's context of 'updating a network device's configuration' typically means replacing the entire configuration, making PUT the correct choice.
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
✓
PUT
PUT is the correct HTTP method for updating a network device's configuration because it is idempotent and replaces the entire resource at the specified URI. In RESTful design, PUT is used to update or create a resource when the client sends a full representation of the resource, which aligns with replacing the entire device configuration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
POST
Why it's wrong here
POST targets a collection or processing endpoint and creates a subordinate resource, so it does not express replacement of the device's configuration at a known URI. POST suits creating a new resource or triggering non-idempotent actions where no target URI exists yet.
- ✗
DELETE
Why it's wrong here
DELETE removes the identified resource; it cannot express a configuration change that leaves the interface or device in place. DELETE is the right method when the intent is to remove a resource such as an interface or a configured object entirely.
- ✓
PUT
Why this is correct
PUT replaces the entire target resource representation at its known URI, which suits pushing a complete device configuration. Unlike PATCH, which applies partial modifications, PUT is idempotent, so retrying a failed configuration push produces the same end state without duplicating changes.
- ✗
PATCH
Why it's wrong here
PATCH applies a partial modification described by a media type, so it cannot replace the whole configuration document in one idempotent operation. PATCH is correct when only specific fields change and the client sends a patch document rather than the full representation.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
One of 975 original 200-901 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.