What is the first step to enable RESTCONF on a Cisco IOS XE device?

To enable RESTCONF on a Cisco IOS XE device, the initial requirement is to configure HTTP over SSL/TLS, which is facilitated by the command to enable the secure HTTP server. By executing the command to enable the secure HTTP server, you set up the necessary framework that allows RESTCONF, an API designed for network automation, to operate securely over HTTPS.

Without this configuration, attempting to utilize RESTCONF would not be effective, as it requires a secure transport layer. Ensuring that the device can handle secure HTTP connections is crucial for RESTCONF to function correctly and provide the necessary service to clients making API requests. This underscores the significance of enabling the secure server before proceeding with further RESTCONF configurations, such as allowing API access, securing communication, and ensuring that the device can fulfill requests properly.

While other elements like creating a local user account or enabling SSH are important for managing the device and securing access to it, they are not the first steps specifically required to enable RESTCONF functionality directly.