Topic 20 Practice Test 3 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 change plan for a global enterprise deploying a new segmentation policy says the selected capability will be used when reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. Its required function is to applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Underlay network
- Network automation
- A network controller
- Control plane
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because For a global enterprise deploying a new segmentation policy, the requirement is to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation provides that function. It matches the evidence. Manual per-device changes scale poorly and are harder to reproduce consistently.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C 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 global enterprise deploying a new segmentation policy needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation matches that objective.
Answer D is incorrect because Using Control plane, the design builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. For a global enterprise deploying a new segmentation policy, the missing function is to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices; Network automation supplies it.
Answer A is incorrect because For a global enterprise deploying a new segmentation policy, Underlay network solves the wrong problem. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. The scenario needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices, which points to Network automation.
Question 2
A change plan for a service team building repeatable provisioning workflows says the selected capability will be used when coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. Its required function is to maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- A network controller
- Traditional distributed device control
- Data plane
- Overlay network
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because For a service team building repeatable provisioning workflows, the requirement is to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller provides that function. It matches the evidence. Traditional device-by-device management lacks the same centralized abstraction and policy coordination.
Incorrect Answers
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 service team building repeatable provisioning workflows needs to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller matches that objective.
Answer C is incorrect because Data plane forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. At a service team building repeatable provisioning workflows, it does not provide the requirement to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller does.
Answer D is incorrect because Overlay network creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. At a service team building repeatable provisioning workflows, it does not provide the requirement to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller does.
Question 3
A change plan for a network program moving from box-by-box CLI to controller management says the selected capability will be used when recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. Its required function is to places control decisions and configuration primarily on individual network devices managed directly. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Traditional distributed device control
- Network fabric
- Underlay network
- Control plane
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because For a network program moving from box-by-box CLI to controller management, the requirement is to recognize box-by-box management and distributed device control. Traditional distributed device control provides that function. It matches the evidence. Controller-based designs introduce centralized abstraction and policy interfaces above individual devices.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because Control plane builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. That can be valid elsewhere, but a network program moving from box-by-box CLI to controller management needs to recognize box-by-box management and distributed device control. Traditional distributed device control 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 network program moving from box-by-box CLI to controller management, it does not provide the requirement to recognize box-by-box management and distributed device control. Traditional distributed device control does.
Answer B is incorrect because This option uses Network fabric for describing the complete software-defined domain rather than only its physical transport or virtual tunnel layer. At a network program moving from box-by-box CLI to controller management, the required function belongs to Traditional distributed device control. The mechanism does not match.
Question 4
A change plan for a software team integrating a portal with network automation says the selected capability will be used when identifying the logical function that learns topology or policy and determines forwarding behavior before packets are switched. Its required function is to builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Overlay network
- Northbound API
- Control plane
- Data plane
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because For a software team integrating a portal with network automation, the requirement is to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. Control plane provides that function. It matches the evidence. The data plane executes established forwarding decisions on actual packets.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D 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 software team integrating a portal with network automation instead requires a mechanism to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. That is the role of Control plane.
Answer A 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 software team integrating a portal with network automation instead requires a mechanism to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. That is the role of Control plane.
Answer B is incorrect because Northbound API exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. That can be valid elsewhere, but a software team integrating a portal with network automation needs to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. Control plane matches that objective.
Question 5
A change plan for a controller receiving application intent says the selected capability will be used when identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. Its required function is to forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Southbound API or protocol
- Data plane
- Underlay network
- Network fabric
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because In a controller receiving application intent, Data plane is the closest technical fit. It forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because Underlay network is intended for troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. The scenario at a controller receiving application intent instead requires a mechanism to identify the function that actually forwards packets. That is the role of Data plane.
Answer D is incorrect because For a controller receiving application intent, Network fabric solves the wrong problem. It combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. The scenario needs to identify the function that actually forwards packets, which points to Data plane.
Answer A is incorrect because Using Southbound API or protocol, the design carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. For a controller receiving application intent, the missing function is to identify the function that actually forwards packets; Data plane supplies it.
Question 6
A change plan for a controller configuring routers through device-facing APIs says the selected capability will be used when troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. Its required function is to provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Northbound API
- Overlay network
- Underlay network
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because In a controller configuring routers through device-facing APIs, Underlay network is the closest technical fit. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Incorrect Answers
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 configuring routers through device-facing APIs, the missing function is to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes; Underlay network supplies it.
Answer B is incorrect because This option uses Northbound API for allowing an orchestration application to request network intent from a controller. At a controller configuring routers through device-facing APIs, the required function belongs to Underlay network. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. That can be valid elsewhere, but a controller configuring routers through device-facing APIs needs to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Underlay network matches that objective.
Question 7
A change plan for a fabric design review says the selected capability will be used when separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. Its required function is to creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Network fabric
- Southbound API or protocol
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- Overlay network
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because Overlay network fits a fabric design review: it creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. That behavior matches the requirement to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path. Other choices perform different roles.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because Network fabric combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. At a fabric design review, it does not provide the requirement to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path. Overlay network does.
Answer B 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 fabric design review needs to provide logical endpoint connectivity independent of the physical path. Overlay network matches that objective.
Answer C is incorrect because This option uses Centralized telemetry and state collection for detecting patterns or validating a change across many devices without logging into each device independently. At a fabric design review, the required function belongs to Overlay network. The mechanism does not match.
Question 8
A change plan for an outage investigation separating underlay from overlay says the selected capability will be used when describing the complete software-defined domain rather than only its physical transport or virtual tunnel layer. Its required function is to combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Network automation
- Network fabric
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because Choose Network fabric for an outage investigation separating underlay from overlay. The scenario needs to describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain, and Network fabric supplies that function. Underlay and overlay are components of the broader fabric architecture. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because For an outage investigation separating underlay from overlay, 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 describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain, which points to Network fabric.
Answer A 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 an outage investigation separating underlay from overlay, the required function belongs to Network fabric. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because Network automation is intended for reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. The scenario at an outage investigation separating underlay from overlay instead requires a mechanism to describe the complete integrated software-defined connectivity domain. That is the role of Network fabric.
Question 9
A design decision for an SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices must support two use cases: allowing an orchestration application to request network intent from a controller; and programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. Which TWO components of the design are required? Choose TWO.
- Control plane
- A network controller
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- Southbound API or protocol
- Northbound API
Correct Answers: D, E
Correct Answers
Answer E is correct because The evidence at an SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices points to Northbound API. It exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. That capability supports the requirement to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services.
Answer D is correct because Choose Southbound API or protocol for an SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices. The scenario needs to connect the controller to managed network devices, and Southbound API or protocol supplies that function. Northbound APIs connect applications and automation systems to the controller instead. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because Using Centralized telemetry and state collection, the design aggregates device health, topology, and operational data so automation can reason over a network-wide view. An SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices instead needs both Northbound API and Southbound API or protocol. This addresses a different mechanism.
Answer B is incorrect because A network controller does not satisfy the paired requirement at an SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices. It maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. The needed choices are Northbound API and Southbound API or protocol.
Answer A is incorrect because Control plane builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. The pair required at an SDN integration where applications request services and the controller programs devices is Northbound API plus Southbound API or protocol. This option serves another role.
Question 10
A change plan for a network team centralizing operational telemetry says the selected capability will be used when programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. Its required function is to carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. 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 Southbound API or protocol is appropriate for a network team centralizing operational telemetry. Its typical use is programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because For a network team centralizing operational telemetry, 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 connect the controller to managed network devices, which points to Southbound API or protocol.
Answer C is incorrect because Using Network automation, the design applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. For a network team centralizing operational telemetry, the missing function is to connect the controller to managed network devices; Southbound API or protocol supplies it.
Answer D is incorrect because Traditional distributed device control is intended for recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. The scenario at a network team centralizing operational telemetry instead requires a mechanism to connect the controller to managed network devices. That is the role of Southbound API or protocol.
Question 11
A change plan for a compliance team detecting configuration drift says the selected capability will be used when expressing a campus access policy once so the controller can implement consistent changes across the managed domain. Its required function is to accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. Which mechanism should the engineer use? Choose ONE.
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- A network controller
- Control plane
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because The evidence at a compliance team detecting configuration drift points to Controller-based intent and policy translation. It accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. That capability supports the requirement to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A 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 compliance team detecting configuration drift, it does not provide the requirement to express a desired outcome once and translate it to coordinated device behavior. Controller-based intent and policy translation does.
Answer B 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 compliance team detecting configuration drift, 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.
Answer C is incorrect because Control plane is intended for identifying the logical function that learns topology or policy and determines forwarding behavior before packets are switched. The scenario at a compliance team detecting configuration drift 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.
Question 12
A change plan for a branch rollout using an automation template says the selected capability will be used when detecting patterns or validating a change across many devices without logging into each device independently. Its required function is to aggregates device health, topology, and operational data so automation can reason over a network-wide view. Which technology or concept should be selected? Choose ONE.
- Network automation
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- Data plane
- Traditional distributed device control
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because Choose Centralized telemetry and state collection for a branch rollout using an automation template. The scenario needs to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet, and Centralized telemetry and state collection supplies that function. Isolated CLI output provides only a device-local snapshot and is harder to correlate at scale. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
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 a branch rollout using an automation template needs to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet. Centralized telemetry and state collection 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 branch rollout using an automation template, the missing function is to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet; Centralized telemetry and state collection supplies it.
Answer C is incorrect because For a branch rollout using an automation template, Data plane solves the wrong problem. It forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. The scenario needs to aggregate operational state so automation can reason across the fleet, which points to Centralized telemetry and state collection.
Question 13
Operational evidence from an SDN architecture workshop shows this distinction: manual per-device changes scale poorly and are harder to reproduce consistently. The chosen mechanism must applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. Which option best addresses this requirement? Choose ONE.
- Underlay network
- Network automation
- A network controller
- Control plane
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because For an SDN architecture workshop, the requirement is to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation provides that function. It matches the evidence. Manual per-device changes scale poorly and are harder to reproduce consistently.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C 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 an SDN architecture workshop needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices. Network automation matches that objective.
Answer D is incorrect because Using Control plane, the design builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. For an SDN architecture workshop, the missing function is to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices; Network automation supplies it.
Answer A is incorrect because For an SDN architecture workshop, Underlay network solves the wrong problem. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. The scenario needs to apply the same validated change consistently across many devices, which points to Network automation.
Question 14
Operational evidence from an orchestration platform requesting path changes shows this distinction: traditional device-by-device management lacks the same centralized abstraction and policy coordination. The chosen mechanism must maintains a broader abstracted view of managed devices and can translate application or policy intent into device-level actions. Which option provides the required function? Choose ONE.
- A network controller
- Traditional distributed device control
- Data plane
- Overlay network
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because For an orchestration platform requesting path changes, the requirement is to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller provides that function. It matches the evidence. Traditional device-by-device management lacks the same centralized abstraction and policy coordination.
Incorrect Answers
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 an orchestration platform requesting path changes needs to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller matches that objective.
Answer C is incorrect because Data plane forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. At an orchestration platform requesting path changes, it does not provide the requirement to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller does.
Answer D is incorrect because Overlay network creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. At an orchestration platform requesting path changes, it does not provide the requirement to coordinate policy through a centralized abstracted network view. A network controller does.
Question 15
Operational evidence from a controller abstracting hundreds of devices shows this distinction: the data plane executes established forwarding decisions on actual packets. The chosen mechanism must builds forwarding knowledge and makes decisions about how traffic should be handled. Which option best addresses this requirement? Choose ONE.
- Control plane
- Northbound API
- Overlay network
- Data plane
Correct Answer: A
Correct Answer
Answer A is correct because Choose Control plane for a controller abstracting hundreds of devices. The scenario needs to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior, and Control plane supplies that function. The data plane executes established forwarding decisions on actual packets. That distinction is decisive.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Data plane for identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. At a controller abstracting hundreds of devices, the required function belongs to Control plane. The mechanism does not match.
Answer C is incorrect because This option uses Overlay network for separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. At a controller abstracting hundreds of devices, the required function belongs to Control plane. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because Northbound API exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. At a controller abstracting hundreds of devices, it does not provide the requirement to identify the function that computes or selects forwarding behavior. Control plane does.
Question 16
Operational evidence from a campus fabric policy change shows this distinction: the control plane computes or selects the forwarding state rather than moving each packet. The chosen mechanism must forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. Which option provides the required function? Choose ONE.
- Network fabric
- Southbound API or protocol
- Data plane
- Underlay network
Correct Answer: C
Correct Answer
Answer C is correct because Data plane is appropriate for a campus fabric policy change. Its typical use is identifying the function that performs high-speed packet handling after forwarding state has been programmed. It forwards packets according to entries and policy already established by the control plane. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because This option uses Underlay network for troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. At a campus fabric policy change, the required function belongs to Data plane. The mechanism does not match.
Answer A is incorrect because Using Network fabric, the design combines the underlay, overlay, and policy/control mechanisms into an integrated connectivity system. For a campus fabric policy change, the missing function is to identify the function that actually forwards packets; Data plane supplies it.
Answer B is incorrect because For a campus fabric policy change, 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 identify the function that actually forwards packets, which points to Data plane.
Question 17
Operational evidence from a network engineer comparing northbound and southbound communication shows this distinction: the overlay creates logical connectivity on top of this transport foundation. The chosen mechanism must provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. Which option best addresses this requirement? Choose ONE.
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Underlay network
- Overlay network
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: B
Correct Answer
Answer B is correct because Underlay network is appropriate for a network engineer comparing northbound and southbound communication. Its typical use is troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer C is incorrect because For a network engineer comparing northbound and southbound communication, 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 verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes, which points to Underlay network.
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 network engineer comparing northbound and southbound communication instead requires a mechanism to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. That is the role of Underlay network.
Answer A 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 network engineer comparing northbound and southbound communication, it does not provide the requirement to verify the routed transport foundation between fabric nodes. Underlay network does.
Question 18
A design decision for a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity must support two use cases: troubleshooting base routed connectivity between fabric nodes before investigating virtualized overlay policy; and separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. Which TWO components of the design are required? Choose TWO.
- Controller-based intent and policy translation
- Northbound API
- Overlay network
- Underlay network
- Network automation
Correct Answers: C, D
Correct Answers
Answer D is correct because In a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity, Underlay network is the closest technical fit. It provides the physical/IP transport reachability on which a software-defined overlay depends. The observed requirement depends on that specific behavior.
Answer C is correct because Overlay network is appropriate for a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity. Its typical use is separating endpoint or tenant connectivity from the physical topology while using the underlay for reachability. It creates logical or virtual connectivity and policy on top of the underlying transport network. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer B is incorrect because Northbound API does not satisfy the paired requirement at a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity. It exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. The needed choices are Underlay network and Overlay network.
Answer A is incorrect because Controller-based intent and policy translation accepts a desired outcome at a higher level and converts it into coordinated device behavior. The pair required at a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity is Underlay network plus Overlay network. This option serves another role.
Answer E is incorrect because Network automation is used for reducing manual CLI repetition, configuration drift, and human variation when the same change must reach a large fleet. In a fabric design that separates routed transport from logical endpoint connectivity, the required functions come from Underlay network and Overlay network. It is not one of them.
Question 19
Operational evidence from a managed campus using policy intent shows this distinction: southbound interfaces are used in the opposite direction between controller and managed infrastructure. The chosen mechanism must exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. Which option best addresses this requirement? Choose ONE.
- Southbound API or protocol
- Centralized telemetry and state collection
- A network controller
- Northbound API
Correct Answer: D
Correct Answer
Answer D is correct because The evidence at a managed campus using policy intent points to Northbound API. It exposes controller services and abstracted network capabilities to applications and higher-level automation systems. That capability supports the requirement to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services.
Incorrect Answers
Answer A is incorrect because This option uses Southbound API or protocol for programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. At a managed campus using policy intent, the required function belongs to Northbound API. The mechanism does not match.
Answer B is incorrect because For a managed campus using policy intent, 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 connect an application or orchestrator to controller services, which points to Northbound API.
Answer C is incorrect because A network controller is intended for coordinating policy and operations centrally instead of treating every switch or router as an isolated management target. The scenario at a managed campus using policy intent instead requires a mechanism to connect an application or orchestrator to controller services. That is the role of Northbound API.
Question 20
Operational evidence from an operations pipeline validating changes before deployment shows this distinction: northbound APIs connect applications and automation systems to the controller instead. The chosen mechanism must carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. Which option provides the required function? 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 Southbound API or protocol is appropriate for an operations pipeline validating changes before deployment. Its typical use is programming or collecting information from infrastructure devices beneath the controller. It carries controller instructions and device state between the controller and managed switches or routers. Both clues point to this option.
Incorrect Answers
Answer D is incorrect because For an operations pipeline validating changes before deployment, 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 connect the controller to managed network devices, which points to Southbound API or protocol.
Answer A is incorrect because Using Network automation, the design applies repeatable programmatic workflows to provisioning, validation, and operations across many devices. For an operations pipeline validating changes before deployment, the missing function is to connect the controller to managed network devices; Southbound API or protocol supplies it.
Answer B is incorrect because Traditional distributed device control is intended for recognizing the conventional model where engineers configure routers and switches separately and protocols distribute state among them. The scenario at an operations pipeline validating changes before deployment instead requires a mechanism to connect the controller to managed network devices. That is the role of Southbound API or protocol.
