Which RESTful API method is used to retrieve an existing XtremIO configuration?

The XtremIO RESTful API adheres to the standard principles of REST (Representational State Transfer), which utilizes standard HTTP methods for operations. The HTTP GET method is the standard verb used to request and retrieve data or a representation of a specified resource from a server. To retrieve an existing XtremIO configuration, such as details about volumes, clusters, or performance metrics, a client would issue a GET request to the appropriate API endpoint. This operation is idempotent and safe, meaning it does not alter the state of the system.

A. HTTP RETRIEVE: This is not a standard HTTP method. The correct verb for retrieving resources in RESTful architectures is GET.
B. HTTP GATHER: This is not a standard HTTP method. It is not a recognized verb within the HTTP/1.1 specification used for REST APIs.
C. HTTP POST: This method is used to submit an entity to the specified resource, often causing a change in state or the creation of a new resource on the server.

1. Dell EMC XtremIO Storage Array RESTful API Guide (Version 4.0 and later): In the section "API Concepts," the guide explicitly maps CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations to HTTP methods. It specifies that the GET method is used to "Read/Query an object or a collection of objects." This directly confirms that retrieving configuration is done via GET. (Reference typically found in Chapter 1: Introduction > API Concepts).

2. Fielding, R. T. (2000). Architectural Styles and the Design of Network-based Software Architectures. Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Irvine. In Chapter 5, "Representational State Transfer (REST)," Section 5.2.1 "Client-Server," the uniform interface constraint is detailed, which relies on standard methods like GET for data retrieval. This foundational academic text for REST establishes GET as the primary method for retrieval. (Available via ProQuest, UMI No. 9963618).

3. Georgia Institute of Technology, CS 6340: Software Analysis & Test, "REST APIs." University courseware materials often describe REST principles, stating: "The primary or most-commonly-used methods are POST, GET, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE... GET: Requests a representation of the specified resource. Requests using GET should only retrieve data and should have no other effect." This confirms the standard use of GET for retrieval.