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200-901 Practice Question: A junior network developer tasked with automating…
You are a junior network developer tasked with automating device inventory retrieval using the Cisco Meraki Dashboard API. You have already generated an API key with the appropriate scopes and have tested it successfully with simple GET requests. However, when you attempt to retrieve the list of all devices in your organization via the 'GET /organizations/{organizationId}/devices' endpoint, you receive a 403 Forbidden error. You verify that the API key is correctly included in the request header as 'X-Cisco-Meraki-API-Key'. You also confirm that the organization ID is correct. You are able to reach the Meraki Dashboard API server from your environment, as other endpoints (e.g., 'GET /organizations') work fine. What is the most likely cause of the 403 error, and what should you do to resolve it?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between authentication (401) and authorization (403) errors, where a 403 means the key is valid but lacks permissions, tricking candidates into blaming network issues or incorrect endpoints.
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
✓
The API key lacks the required permissions; regenerate the API key with full read access for devices.
A 403 Forbidden error specifically indicates that the server understood the request but refuses to authorize it. Since other endpoints like 'GET /organizations' work, network connectivity and API key validity are confirmed. The most likely cause is that the API key lacks the required scope or permission to access the 'GET /organizations/{organizationId}/devices' endpoint. Regenerating the API key with full read access (including device inventory) resolves this, as Meraki API keys are scoped at creation time and cannot be modified after generation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The network firewall is blocking the request; check firewall logs and allow outbound traffic to the Meraki API.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Other endpoints work, so network connectivity is not the issue.
- ✓
The API key lacks the required permissions; regenerate the API key with full read access for devices.
Why this is correct
Correct. The 403 indicates insufficient permissions for the specific endpoint, despite the key being valid for other endpoints.
- ✗
The request should use POST instead of GET; change the HTTP method to POST to retrieve device data.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. The endpoint is defined as GET; using POST would likely return a 405 Method Not Allowed.
- ✗
The API endpoint URL is incorrect; verify the exact path and version in the API documentation.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A wrong endpoint would typically return a 404, not 403. Also, the path is confirmed correct.
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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.