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350-401 · Question #896

In a Cisco Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, what is used to describe the API communication between the SDN controller and the network elements (routers and switches) that it manages?

The correct answer is A. Southbound API. In a Cisco Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, the communication between the SDN controller and the network elements is defined by the Southbound API.

Submitted by thandi_sa· Mar 6, 2026

Question

In a Cisco Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, what is used to describe the API communication between the SDN controller and the network elements (routers and switches) that it manages?

Options

  • ASouthbound API
  • BNorthbound API
  • CWestbound API
  • DEastbound API.

How the community answered

(45 responses)
  • A
    93% (42)
  • C
    4% (2)
  • D
    2% (1)

Why each option

In a Cisco Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, the communication between the SDN controller and the network elements is defined by the Southbound API.

ASouthbound APICorrect

Southbound APIs define the communication interface between the SDN controller's control plane and the underlying network elements (data plane), allowing the controller to program and manage forwarding behaviors.

BNorthbound API

Northbound APIs define the communication interface between the SDN controller and applications or orchestration systems, enabling higher-level service requests.

CWestbound API

Westbound APIs refer to communication between different SDN controllers within the same domain, typically for synchronization or service chaining.

DEastbound API.

Eastbound APIs refer to communication between different SDN controllers within the same domain, similar to Westbound APIs.

Concept tested: SDN API types (Southbound API)

Source: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/white-paper-c11-739989.html

Topics

#SDN architecture#SDN controller#Southbound API

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