SNOW-CAD Integrating and managing application data Practice Question
A company is integrating with an external HR system using a REST API to create and update user records in the sys_user table. The API endpoint requires a token that expires every 24 hours. The integration is scheduled to run hourly. The token is stored in a credential record. After a few days, the integration fails with a 401 Unauthorized error. The error log shows "Invalid token". What is the most likely cause?
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 token was refreshed but the credential record was not updated.
The token expires every 24 hours, so after the first day, the stored token becomes invalid. The integration runs hourly and likely attempts to refresh the token, but if the refreshed token is not saved back to the credential record, the old token persists and causes the 401 error. Option A is correct because the most likely cause is that the token was refreshed but the credential record was not updated. The other options are less likely: there's no evidence the URL changed (B), the credential record was deleted (C), or the IP changed (D).
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 token was refreshed but the credential record was not updated.
Why this is correct
The token expires; the integration uses the stored token. If the token is refreshed externally but not stored, the old token remains and becomes invalid after 24 hours.
- ✗
The REST API endpoint URL changed.
Why it's wrong here
A URL change would cause a different error (e.g., 404), not 401.
- ✗
The credential record was deleted.
Why it's wrong here
If deleted, the error would likely be different (e.g., credential not found), not just invalid token.
- ✗
The IP address of the external system changed.
Why it's wrong here
An IP change would cause connection issues, not an invalid token error.
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