200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
When making API calls to Cisco Meraki Dashboard, what header must be included for authentication?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the fact that Meraki uses a custom header (`X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key`) rather than the standard `Authorization` header, leading candidates to mistakenly choose `Authorization: Bearer <token>` or `Authorization: Basic <base64>`.
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
✓
X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key: <key>
Cisco Meraki Dashboard API uses a custom header for authentication rather than standard HTTP authentication schemes. The header `X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key` must be included with the API key as its value. This is explicitly documented in the Meraki API reference and is required for all API requests to authenticate the caller.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Authorization: Basic <base64>
Why it's wrong here
Basic Auth is used by DNA Center, not Meraki.
- ✗
Authorization: Bearer <token>
Why it's wrong here
Meraki does not use Bearer tokens.
- ✓
X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key: <key>
Why this is correct
This is the correct authentication header for Meraki.
- ✗
Api-Key: <key>
Why it's wrong here
Meraki expects the X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key header specifically.
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