350-401 Automation Practice Question
A network engineer is new to automation and wants to start by writing a simple Python script to interact with a Cisco IOS XE device using RESTCONF. Which Python library is specifically designed to simplify sending HTTP requests to RESTCONF APIs?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse RESTCONF with NETCONF or CLI automation, leading to the selection of libraries like Ncclient or Netmiko, which are not HTTP-based.
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
✓
Requests
The Requests library is designed for making HTTP requests in Python, which is exactly what RESTCONF uses. It abstracts the complexities of HTTP and allows easy interaction with RESTCONF APIs, including authentication and data formatting. Other libraries like Netmiko and Ncclient are for SSH and NETCONF, respectively, and are not suited for RESTCONF. Paramiko is for SSH and not HTTP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Netmiko
Why it's wrong here
Netmiko is a Python library for SSH-based CLI automation, not for RESTCONF. It is used to send show commands and configuration commands over SSH, but it does not use HTTP or RESTCONF APIs. While useful for automation, it does not meet the requirement for RESTCONF interaction.
- ✗
Ncclient
Why it's wrong here
Ncclient is a Python library for NETCONF, not RESTCONF. It uses SSH to send NETCONF RPCs, which is a different protocol. While it is used for model-driven programmability, it does not use HTTP or RESTCONF, so it is not the right tool for this scenario.
- ✗
Paramiko
Why it's wrong here
Paramiko is a Python implementation of SSHv2, used for SSH connections and command execution. It is not specific to RESTCONF and requires manual handling of HTTP if used for RESTCONF, which is not its purpose. It is lower-level and more complex than Requests for RESTCONF interactions.
- ✓
Requests
Why this is correct
The Requests library is a popular Python HTTP library that simplifies sending HTTP requests. It is commonly used with RESTCONF to interact with Cisco devices because it handles HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE, and supports authentication and JSON/XML payloads. It is an excellent choice for beginners.
Go deeper
Related to this question
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SDN Controllers and Cisco ACI
Key term
Python for Network Engineers
Python for Network Engineers is the use of the Python programming language to automate, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot network devices like routers and switches.
Key term
REST API for Network Devices
A REST API for network devices is a set of rules that allows software applications to communicate with routers, switches, and firewalls using standard web methods like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE over HTTP or HTTPS.
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JA
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
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.