Topic 20 Practice Test 2 covers Automation, Controllers, and SDN Architecture for Cisco Certified Network Associate 200-301 CCNA and maps to objectives 6.1–6.3. For broader exam preparation, review the Cisco CCNA 200-301 Exam Dumps. Every option includes focused technical reasoning explaining both the networking concept and its fit to the scenario.
Question 1
A design review for a managed-services team changing configurations across customers focuses on this use case: reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. Which choice is the best operational match? Choose ONE.
- A network controller
- Control plane
- Underlay network
- Network automation
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because Network automation is appropriate for a managed-services team changing configurations across customers. Its typical use is reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. It applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because This option uses A network controller for coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. At a managed-services team changing configurations across customers, the required function belongs to Network automation. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because Control plane builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. That can be valid elsewhere, but a managed-services team changing configurations across customers needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation matches that objective.
Answer C is incorrect because Underlay network provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. At a managed-services team changing configurations across customers, it does not provide the requirement to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation does.
Question 2
A design review for a university automating campus provisioning focuses on this use case: coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Data plane
- Overlay network
- A network controller
- Traditional distributed device control
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because A network controller is appropriate for a university automating campus provisioning. Its typical use is coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. It maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Traditional distributed device control for recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. At a university automating campus provisioning, the required function belongs to A network controller. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because Data plane is intended for identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. The scenario at a university automating campus provisioning instead requires a mechanism to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. That is the role of A network controller.
Answer B is incorrect because Overlay network is intended for separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. The scenario at a university automating campus provisioning instead requires a mechanism to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. That is the role of A network controller.
Question 3
A design review for a retailer standardizing hundreds of stores focuses on this use case: recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. Which choice is the best operational match? Choose ONE.
- Underlay network
- Control plane
- Traditional distributed device control
- Network fabric
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because Traditional distributed device control is appropriate for a retailer standardizing hundreds of stores. Its typical use is recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. It places control decisions and configuration primarily on individual network devices managed directly. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because This option uses Control plane for identifying the logical function that learns topology or policy and determines forwarding behavior before packets are switched. At a retailer standardizing hundreds of stores, the required function belongs to Traditional distributed device control. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because Underlay network is intended for troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. The scenario at a retailer standardizing hundreds of stores instead requires a mechanism to recognize box-by-box management and distributed device control. That is the role of Traditional distributed device control.
Answer D is incorrect because For a retailer standardizing hundreds of stores, Network fabric solves the wrong problem. It combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. The scenario needs to recognize box-by-box management and distributed device control, which points to Traditional distributed device control.
Question 4
A design review for a controller-based branch program focuses on this use case: identifying the logical function that learns topology or policy and determines forwarding behavior before packets are switched. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Control plane
- Data plane
- Overlay network
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because Control plane is appropriate for a controller-based branch program. Its typical use is identifying the logical function that learns topology or policy and determines forwarding behavior before packets are switched. It builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because Using Data plane, the design forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. For a controller-based branch program, the missing function is to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior; Control plane supplies it.
Answer C is incorrect because Using Overlay network, the design creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. For a controller-based branch program, the missing function is to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior; Control plane supplies it.
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Northbound API for allowing an orchestration application to request network intent from a controller. At a controller-based branch program, the required function belongs to Control plane. The mechanism does not match.
Question 5
A design review for a network architect documenting SDN components focuses on this use case: identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. Which choice is the best operational match? Choose ONE.
- Underlay network
- Network fabric
- Southbound API or protocol
- Data plane
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because Data plane fits a network architect documenting SDN components: it forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. That behavior matches the requirement to identify the function that actually forwards packets. Other choices perform different roles.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because Using Underlay network, the design provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. For a network architect documenting SDN components, the missing function is to identify the function that actually forwards packets; Data plane supplies it.
Answer B is incorrect because Network fabric combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. At a network architect documenting SDN components, it does not provide the requirement to identify the function that actually forwards packets. Data plane does.
Answer C is incorrect because Southbound API or protocol carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. That can be valid elsewhere, but a network architect documenting SDN components needs to identify the function that actually forwards packets. Data plane matches that objective.
Question 6
A design review for a platform team integrating orchestration with a controller focuses on this use case: troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Overlay network
- Underlay network
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because Underlay network fits a platform team integrating orchestration with a controller: it provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. That behavior matches the requirement to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Other choices perform different roles.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because Overlay network creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. That can be valid elsewhere, but a platform team integrating orchestration with a controller needs to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Underlay network matches that objective.
Answer D is incorrect because For a platform team integrating orchestration with a controller, Northbound API solves the wrong problem. It exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. The scenario needs to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes, which points to Underlay network.
Answer C is incorrect because This option uses Controller-based intent and policy translation for expressing a campus access policy once so the controller can implement consistent changes across the managed domain. At a platform team integrating orchestration with a controller, the required function belongs to Underlay network. The mechanism does not match.
Question 7
A design review for a controller exchanging state with infrastructure devices focuses on this use case: separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. Which choice is the best operational match? Choose ONE.
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- Overlay network
- Network fabric
- Southbound API or protocol
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because For a controller exchanging state with infrastructure devices, the requirement is to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path. Overlay network provides that function. It matches the evidence. The underlay is the transport substrate and does not itself represent the higher-level virtual topology.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because Network fabric is intended for describing the complete software-defined domain rather than only its physical transport or virtual tunnel layer. The scenario at a controller exchanging state with infrastructure devices instead requires a mechanism to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path. That is the role of Overlay network.
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Southbound API or protocol for programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. At a controller exchanging state with infrastructure devices, the required function belongs to Overlay network. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because For a controller exchanging state with infrastructure devices, Centralized telemetry and state collection solves the wrong problem. It aggregates device health, topology, and operational data so automation can reason over a network-wide view. The scenario needs to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path, which points to Overlay network.
Question 8
A design review for an operator tracing packet handling through SDN planes focuses on this use case: describing the complete software-defined domain rather than only its physical transport or virtual tunnel layer. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Network fabric
- Northbound API
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Network automation
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because In an operator tracing packet handling through SDN planes, Network fabric is the closest technical fit. It combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because Northbound API exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. At an operator tracing packet handling through SDN planes, it does not provide the requirement to describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain. Network fabric does.
Answer C is incorrect because For an operator tracing packet handling through SDN planes, Controller-based intent and policy translation solves the wrong problem. It accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. The scenario needs to describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain, which points to Network fabric.
Answer D is incorrect because Using Network automation, the design applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. For an operator tracing packet handling through SDN planes, the missing function is to describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain; Network fabric supplies it.
Question 9
Engineers reviewing a controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below need two complementary capabilities: one that exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems, plus another that carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. Select the TWO options that provide those capabilities. Choose TWO.
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- Southbound API or protocol
- Northbound API
- Control plane
- A network controller
Correct Answers: B, C
Correct Answers
Answer C is correct because Choose Northbound API for a controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below. The scenario needs to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services, and Northbound API supplies that function. Southbound interfaces are used in the opposite direction between controller and managed infrastructure. That distinction is decisive.
Answer B is correct because In a controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below, Southbound API or protocol is the closest technical fit. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because Centralized telemetry and state collection is used for detecting patterns or validating a change across many devices without logging into each device independently. In a controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below, the required functions come from Northbound API and Southbound API or protocol. It is not one of them.
Answer E is incorrect because Using A network controller, the design maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. A controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below instead needs both Northbound API and Southbound API or protocol. This addresses a different mechanism.
Answer D is incorrect because Control plane does not satisfy the paired requirement at a controller architecture linking an orchestration portal above to network infrastructure below. It builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. The needed choices are Northbound API and Southbound API or protocol.
Question 10
A design review for an automation system translating policy to devices focuses on this use case: programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Network automation
- Traditional distributed device control
- Southbound API or protocol
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because The evidence at an automation system translating policy to devices points to Southbound API or protocol. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. That capability supports the requirement to connect the controller to managed network devices.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. At an automation system translating policy to devices, it does not provide the requirement to connect the controller to managed network devices. Southbound API or protocol does.
Answer A is incorrect because Network automation applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. That can be valid elsewhere, but an automation system translating policy to devices needs to connect the controller to managed network devices. Southbound API or protocol matches that objective.
Answer B is incorrect because Using Traditional distributed device control, the design places control decisions and configuration primarily on individual network devices managed directly. For an automation system translating policy to devices, the missing function is to connect the controller to managed network devices; Southbound API or protocol supplies it.
Question 11
A design review for a campus team comparing direct CLI management with a controller focuses on this use case: expressing a campus access policy once so the controller can implement consistent changes across the managed domain. Which choice is the best operational match? Choose ONE.
- Control plane
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- A network controller
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because Choose Controller-based intent and policy translation for a campus team comparing direct CLI management with a controller. The scenario needs to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior, and Controller-based intent and policy translation supplies that function. Manual per-device commands encode implementation details rather than a shared high-level intent. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because Centralized telemetry and state collection is intended for detecting patterns or validating a change across many devices without logging into each device independently. The scenario at a campus team comparing direct CLI management with a controller instead requires a mechanism to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior. That is the role of Controller-based intent and policy translation.
Answer D is incorrect because A network controller maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. That can be valid elsewhere, but a campus team comparing direct CLI management with a controller needs to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior. Controller-based intent and policy translation matches that objective.
Answer A is incorrect because Using Control plane, the design builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. For a campus team comparing direct CLI management with a controller, the missing function is to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior; Controller-based intent and policy translation supplies it.
Question 12
A design review for a fabric engineer isolating transport from virtual connectivity focuses on this use case: detecting patterns or validating a change across many devices without logging into each device independently. Which choice matches the evidence most directly? Choose ONE.
- Data plane
- Traditional distributed device control
- Network automation
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because In a fabric engineer isolating transport from virtual connectivity, Centralized telemetry and state collection is the closest technical fit. It aggregates device health, topology, and operational data so automation can reason over a network-wide view. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because This option uses Network automation for reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. At a fabric engineer isolating transport from virtual connectivity, the required function belongs to Centralized telemetry and state collection. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because Traditional distributed device control places control decisions and configuration primarily on individual network devices managed directly. That can be valid elsewhere, but a fabric engineer isolating transport from virtual connectivity needs to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet. Centralized telemetry and state collection matches that objective.
Answer A is incorrect because Data plane forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. At a fabric engineer isolating transport from virtual connectivity, it does not provide the requirement to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet. Centralized telemetry and state collection does.
Question 13
The case involving an NOC aggregating health data across devices turns on a specific distinction: manual per-device changes scale poorly and are harder to reproduce consistently. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- A network controller
- Control plane
- Underlay network
- Network automation
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because Network automation is appropriate for an NOC aggregating health data across devices. Its typical use is reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. It applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because This option uses A network controller for coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. At an NOC aggregating health data across devices, the required function belongs to Network automation. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because Control plane builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. That can be valid elsewhere, but an NOC aggregating health data across devices needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation matches that objective.
Answer C is incorrect because Underlay network provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. At an NOC aggregating health data across devices, it does not provide the requirement to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation does.
Question 14
The case involving an application requesting a new network service turns on a specific distinction: traditional device-by-device management lacks the same centralized abstraction and policy coordination. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Data plane
- Overlay network
- A network controller
- Traditional distributed device control
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because A network controller is appropriate for an application requesting a new network service. Its typical use is coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. It maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Traditional distributed device control for recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. At an application requesting a new network service, the required function belongs to A network controller. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because Data plane is intended for identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. The scenario at an application requesting a new network service instead requires a mechanism to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. That is the role of A network controller.
Answer B is incorrect because Overlay network is intended for separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. The scenario at an application requesting a new network service instead requires a mechanism to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. That is the role of A network controller.
Question 15
The case involving a controller pushing policy toward edge switches turns on a specific distinction: the data plane executes established forwarding decisions on actual packets. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Overlay network
- Data plane
- Control plane
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because In a controller pushing policy toward edge switches, Control plane is the closest technical fit. It builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because For a controller pushing policy toward edge switches, Data plane solves the wrong problem. It forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. The scenario needs to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior, which points to Control plane.
Answer A is incorrect because For a controller pushing policy toward edge switches, Overlay network solves the wrong problem. It creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. The scenario needs to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior, which points to Control plane.
Answer D is incorrect because Northbound API is intended for allowing an orchestration application to request network intent from a controller. The scenario at a controller pushing policy toward edge switches instead requires a mechanism to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. That is the role of Control plane.
Question 16
The case involving a change pipeline using repeatable templates turns on a specific distinction: the control plane computes or selects the forwarding state rather than moving each packet. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Data plane
- Underlay network
- Network fabric
- Southbound API or protocol
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because The evidence at a change pipeline using repeatable templates points to Data plane. It forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. That capability supports the requirement to identify the function that actually forwards packets.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because For a change pipeline using repeatable templates, Underlay network solves the wrong problem. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. The scenario needs to identify the function that actually forwards packets, which points to Data plane.
Answer C is incorrect because Network fabric combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. That can be valid elsewhere, but a change pipeline using repeatable templates needs to identify the function that actually forwards packets. Data plane matches that objective.
Answer D is incorrect because Southbound API or protocol carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. At a change pipeline using repeatable templates, it does not provide the requirement to identify the function that actually forwards packets. Data plane does.
Question 17
The case involving a data-center automation workflow turns on a specific distinction: the overlay creates logical connectivity on top of this transport foundation. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Overlay network
- Northbound API
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Underlay network
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because The evidence at a data-center automation workflow points to Underlay network. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. That capability supports the requirement to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because Overlay network creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. At a data-center automation workflow, it does not provide the requirement to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Underlay network does.
Answer B is incorrect because Using Northbound API, the design exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. For a data-center automation workflow, the missing function is to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes; Underlay network supplies it.
Answer C is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation is intended for expressing a campus access policy once so the controller can implement consistent changes across the managed domain. The scenario at a data-center automation workflow instead requires a mechanism to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. That is the role of Underlay network.
Question 18
Engineers reviewing an SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability need two complementary capabilities: one that provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends, plus another that creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. Select the TWO options that provide those capabilities. Choose TWO.
- Overlay network
- Underlay network
- Network automation
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Northbound API
Correct Answers: A, B
Correct Answers
Answer B is correct because Underlay network fits an SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability: it provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. That behavior matches the requirement to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Other choices perform different roles.
Answer A is correct because The evidence at an SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability points to Overlay network. It creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. That capability supports the requirement to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path.
Incorrect Answers
Answer E is incorrect because Using Northbound API, the design exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. An SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability instead needs both Underlay network and Overlay network. This addresses a different mechanism.
Answer D is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation does not satisfy the paired requirement at an SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability. It accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. The needed choices are Underlay network and Overlay network.
Answer C is incorrect because Network automation applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. The pair required at an SDN troubleshooting case that must verify both physical transport and virtualized reachability is Underlay network plus Overlay network. This option serves another role.
Question 19
The case involving a controller exposing abstracted network state turns on a specific distinction: southbound interfaces are used in the opposite direction between controller and managed infrastructure. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- A network controller
- Northbound API
- Southbound API or protocol
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because Choose Northbound API for a controller exposing abstracted network state. The scenario needs to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services, and Northbound API supplies that function. Southbound interfaces are used in the opposite direction between controller and managed infrastructure. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because For a controller exposing abstracted network state, Southbound API or protocol solves the wrong problem. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. The scenario needs to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services, which points to Northbound API.
Answer D is incorrect because Centralized telemetry and state collection aggregates device health, topology, and operational data so automation can reason over a network-wide view. At a controller exposing abstracted network state, it does not provide the requirement to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services. Northbound API does.
Answer A is incorrect because Using A network controller, the design maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. For a controller exposing abstracted network state, the missing function is to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services; Northbound API supplies it.
Question 20
The case involving a campus fabric troubleshooting exercise turns on a specific distinction: northbound APIs connect applications and automation systems to the controller instead. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Southbound API or protocol
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Network automation
- Traditional distributed device control
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because The evidence at a campus fabric troubleshooting exercise points to Southbound API or protocol. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. That capability supports the requirement to connect the controller to managed network devices.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. At a campus fabric troubleshooting exercise, it does not provide the requirement to connect the controller to managed network devices. Southbound API or protocol does.
Answer C is incorrect because Network automation applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. That can be valid elsewhere, but a campus fabric troubleshooting exercise needs to connect the controller to managed network devices. Southbound API or protocol matches that objective.
Answer D is incorrect because Using Traditional distributed device control, the design places control decisions and configuration primarily on individual network devices managed directly. For a campus fabric troubleshooting exercise, the missing function is to connect the controller to managed network devices; Southbound API or protocol supplies it.
