200-901 Cisco Platforms and Development Practice Question
Which NX-OS API method allows sending CLI commands in JSON format without enabling any additional features?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming any JSON-based API (RESTCONF) is the answer — candidates overlook that NX-API 'cli' method is the one that accepts raw CLI commands in JSON without enabling model-driven features.
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
✓
NX-API method 'cli' with JSON encoding
The NX-API 'cli' method with JSON encoding allows an administrator to send standard NX-OS CLI commands wrapped in a JSON payload over HTTP/HTTPS to the NX-API endpoint, and it works without enabling additional model-driven features like RESTCONF or NETCONF. It is the simplest NX-API method because it reuses existing CLI syntax rather than requiring YANG models. This is why it is the correct answer for sending CLI commands in JSON without extra feature enablement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
NX-API method 'cli' with JSON encoding
Why this is correct
NX-API's 'cli' method accepts JSON-encoded requests over HTTP/HTTPS, converting them into CLI commands executed on the device. Crucially, it requires no extra feature enablement beyond the NX-API infrastructure itself, satisfying the stem's constraint of sending CLI commands in JSON format without enabling additional features.
- ✗
RESTCONF with YANG data
Why it's wrong here
RESTCONF requires the RESTCONF feature enabled and returns YANG-modelled data, not arbitrary CLI commands in JSON. It is tempting because it is a JSON-based NX-OS API, but the NX-API REST method sends CLI commands as JSON without enabling extra features, which is the requirement here.
- ✗
SNMP with MIB objects
Why it's wrong here
SNMP transports MIB object values over UDP, not JSON CLI commands, and requires configuring the SNMP agent. It is the right choice for polling interface counters and traps for monitoring, not for issuing CLI commands.
- ✗
NETCONF with XML data
Why it's wrong here
NETCONF carries XML-encoded data, not JSON, and requires enabling the NETCONF feature on NX-OS. It is the correct choice for model-driven configuration retrieval and edits using YANG models, not for sending CLI commands in JSON format.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
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