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 authentication methods are commonly used with Cisco APIs? (Choose two.)
SNMPv3
Why wrong: SNMPv3 is used for SNMP management, not REST APIs.
Basic Authentication over HTTPS
Many Cisco APIs support Basic Auth for initial token acquisition.
SSH Key
Why wrong: SSH keys are used for device access, not REST API authentication.
RADIUS
Why wrong: RADIUS is for network access authentication, not API calls.
API Token (Bearer Token)
Token-based auth is widely used in Cisco APIs like DNA Center and Meraki.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Basic Authentication over HTTPS
Basic Authentication over HTTPS is commonly used with Cisco APIs because it sends a base64-encoded username:password pair in the Authorization header, which is a simple and widely supported method for authenticating REST API requests. Cisco's REST APIs, such as those on DNA Center and Meraki, often accept Basic Auth as a fallback or for legacy integration, though it is less secure than token-based methods.
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.
SNMPv3
Basic Authentication over HTTPS
Why this is correct
Many Cisco APIs support Basic Auth for initial token acquisition.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
SSH Key
RADIUS
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS is for network access authentication, not API calls.
API Token (Bearer Token)
Why this is correct
Token-based auth is widely used in Cisco APIs like DNA Center and Meraki.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication methods used for API access versus those used for device management or network protocols, so the trap here is confusing SNMPv3 or SSH keys (which are for device CLI/management) with HTTP-based API authentication methods.
Detailed technical explanation
Basic Authentication over HTTPS sends credentials in the Authorization header as 'Basic <base64(username:password)>', which is defined in RFC 7617; however, because base64 is not encrypted, it must always be used over HTTPS to avoid credential exposure. API Token (Bearer Token) authentication, defined in RFC 6750, uses a token (often a JSON Web Token or opaque string) in the 'Authorization: Bearer <token>' header, which is more secure and scalable, and is the primary method for Cisco's modern APIs like Cisco Catalyst Center and Webex APIs.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
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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: Basic Authentication over HTTPS — Basic Authentication over HTTPS is commonly used with Cisco APIs because it sends a base64-encoded username:password pair in the Authorization header, which is a simple and widely supported method for authenticating REST API requests. Cisco's REST APIs, such as those on DNA Center and Meraki, often accept Basic Auth as a fallback or for legacy integration, though it is less secure than token-based methods.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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