- A
RESTCONF
RESTCONF can be used to retrieve data and execute operations on IOS XE.
- B
DNA Center API
Why wrong: DNA Center is a controller, not on-device.
- C
Meraki Dashboard API
Why wrong: Meraki API is for cloud-managed devices, not on-device.
- D
Webex API
Why wrong: Webex API is for collaboration, not device configuration.
Question 619 of 1,000
200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of cisco platforms and development. 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 API is used to execute CLI commands on Cisco IOS XE devices using on-device programmability?
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
✓
RESTCONF
RESTCONF is a RESTful API that uses HTTP methods to access structured data defined in YANG models, and on Cisco IOS XE devices, it can be used to execute CLI commands via the 'cli' YANG data model. This allows programmatic execution of CLI commands without requiring an interactive SSH session, making it the correct choice for on-device programmability.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
RESTCONF
Why this is correct
RESTCONF can be used to retrieve data and execute operations on IOS XE.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
DNA Center API
Why it's wrong here
DNA Center is a controller, not on-device.
- ✗
Meraki Dashboard API
Why it's wrong here
Meraki API is for cloud-managed devices, not on-device.
- ✗
Webex API
Why it's wrong here
Webex API is for collaboration, not device configuration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between on-device programmability (RESTCONF/NETCONF) and controller-based APIs (DNA Center), so the trap here is assuming that a centralized management API can directly execute CLI commands on a device, when in fact it only sends configuration intents to the controller.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
RESTCONF (RFC 8040) operates over HTTP/HTTPS and uses YANG as the data modeling language; the 'cisco-ia' or 'cli-config' YANG models allow sending CLI commands as strings within a JSON or XML payload. Under the hood, the IOS XE device parses the CLI command, validates it against the running configuration, and applies it transactionally, which is different from the interactive CLI where commands are executed line-by-line. In real-world automation, this enables tools like Ansible or custom scripts to push CLI commands via RESTCONF without needing SSH keys or expect scripts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Cisco Platforms and Development — This question tests Cisco Platforms and Development — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: RESTCONF — RESTCONF is a RESTful API that uses HTTP methods to access structured data defined in YANG models, and on Cisco IOS XE devices, it can be used to execute CLI commands via the 'cli' YANG data model. This allows programmatic execution of CLI commands without requiring an interactive SSH session, making it the correct choice for on-device programmability.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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