SAUTO Network Programmability Foundation Practice Question
A network engineer is testing a Cisco ASA REST API call using Postman. The request returns a 401 Unauthorized status code. What is the most likely cause of this error?
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 authentication token is missing or expired.
A 401 status indicates that the request lacks valid authentication credentials.
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 requested resource does not exist on the ASA.
Why it's wrong here
This would return a 404 status.
- ✗
The JSON payload is malformed.
Why it's wrong here
This would typically return a 400 Bad Request.
- ✗
The ASA API service is disabled in the configuration.
Why it's wrong here
This would likely result in a connection timeout or 503 error.
- ✓
The authentication token is missing or expired.
Why this is correct
401 Unauthorized specifically refers to authentication failure.
About these practice questions
This SAUTO question is part of Courseiva's 281-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This SAUTO 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 SAUTO exam.