What are two functionalities of northbound and southbound APIs within Cisco SDN architecture? (Choose two.)

Question

Options

• ASouthbound APIs are used to define how SDN controllers integrate with applications.
• BSouthbound interfaces utilize device configurations such as VLANs and IP addresses.
• CNorthbound APIs utilize RESTful API methods such as GET, POST, and DELETE.
• DSouthbound APIs utilize CLI, SNMP, and RESTCONF.
• ENorthbound interfaces utilize OpenFlow and OpFlex to integrate with network devices.

• A
  5% (2)
• C
  93% (37)
• E
  3% (1)

Explanation

C is correct because northbound APIs sit between the SDN controller and business applications, and RESTful methods (GET, POST, DELETE) are the standard way those applications query and manipulate the controller's abstracted network view. D is correct because southbound APIs sit between the controller and the physical/virtual network devices, using device-level protocols - CLI (command-line), SNMP (polling/traps), and RESTCONF (model-driven config) - to push or pull configurations.

A is wrong because it reverses the direction: integrating with applications is the job of northbound, not southbound. B is wrong because VLANs and IP addresses are configuration data, not API protocols - southbound interfaces carry that data using protocols, not the other way around. E is wrong because OpenFlow and OpFlex are southbound protocols used to talk to network devices; northbound interfaces talk upward to applications, not downward to devices.

Memory tip: Picture a compass - North points UP toward the application layer (REST, the language apps speak), South points DOWN toward hardware (CLI, SNMP, RESTCONF, OpenFlow - the language devices speak). If an answer assigns a southbound protocol to the northbound side (or vice versa), it's a trap.

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