What is needed to log into RESTCONF on NetSim?

To log into RESTCONF on NetSim, using a Basic authentication header that is Base64 encoded is necessary because RESTCONF is built upon the principles of the HTTP protocol, similar to how traditional RESTful services operate.

Basic authentication is a widely supported and straightforward method for authenticating requests made to a RESTful API. It works by including an authorization header in the HTTP request, carrying the username and password encoded in a specific format. This encoding transforms the username and password into a single string that makes it easy for the server to verify the user's credentials.

The Base64 encoding specifically allows for a compact representation of this string, ensuring that any special characters in the username or password do not interfere with the HTTP header format. When a server receives this encoded string, it decodes it back into plain text to authenticate the user.

In contrast, while an API token, OAuth 2.0 credentials, and SSH keys can also be involved in authentication processes, they are not the standard method for RESTCONF authentication in this context. API tokens and OAuth typically involve more complex flows, making them less direct for simple API access, while SSH keys are generally associated with secure shell access rather than API login. Therefore, the most appropriate method for logging into RESTCONF