What is used by vManage to interact with Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN devices in the fabric?

Question

Options

• Anorthbound API
• Bsouthbound API
• CIPsec
• DRESTCONF

• A
  5% (2)
• B
  85% (34)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  8% (3)

Explanation

vManage Communication with SD-WAN Fabric Devices

vManage uses the southbound API to communicate with and manage Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN devices (such as vEdge and cEdge routers) within the fabric, pushing configurations, collecting telemetry, and monitoring device health. The directional logic is key: "southbound" refers to the controller communicating downward toward the network devices it manages.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• Option A (Northbound API): The northbound API is used for communication above vManage - allowing external applications, orchestration systems, or scripts to interact with vManage, not the other way around.
• Option C (IPsec): IPsec is a security protocol used for encrypting data plane tunnels between SD-WAN routers, not for management-plane communication between vManage and devices.
• Option D (RESTCONF): While RESTCONF is a valid network management protocol, it describes the type of API interface - vManage's northbound interface exposes RESTCONF/REST APIs for external consumers, making this a directional confusion trap.

Memory Tip: Think of a river flowing south - vManage sits at the top and sends management traffic downstream to devices via the southbound API. What flows upstream from external apps into vManage is the northbound API.

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