How is authentication typically handled in RESTCONF?

Authentication in RESTCONF is often achieved using basic authentication mechanisms, which typically involve the transmission of Base64 encoded usernames and passwords. When a client makes a request to a RESTCONF API, it may include an 'Authorization' header, where the username and password, encoded in Base64 format, are appended following the "Basic" specification.

This method is straightforward and commonly used due to its simplicity. However, it is essential to apply HTTPS to encrypt the transmission and protect credentials from being intercepted.

The other methods outlined, such as using cryptographic tokens, OAuth protocols, or API keys, are valid authentication methods for different contexts or APIs but are not the typical approach for RESTCONF as defined by its standards and common practices.