352-001 Question #471: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is A: APIC uses a policy agent to translate policies into instructions. APIC uses a declarative, policy-based model where policy agents on ACI fabric nodes translate abstract intent policies into device-level forwarding instructions, contrasting with the imperative instruction model of traditional SDN controllers.

Question

Which statement about APIC controller versus a more traditional SDN controller is true?

Options

AAPIC uses a policy agent to translate policies into instructions
BAPIC supports OpFlex as a Northbound Protocol
CAPIC does support a Southbound REST API
DAPIC uses an imperative model

Explanation

APIC uses a declarative, policy-based model where policy agents on ACI fabric nodes translate abstract intent policies into device-level forwarding instructions, contrasting with the imperative instruction model of traditional SDN controllers.

Common mistakes.

B. OpFlex is the Southbound protocol APIC uses to communicate policies down to ACI fabric nodes, not a Northbound protocol; the Northbound interface toward operators and applications uses REST API.
C. REST API is APIC's Northbound interface used by operators and orchestration tools; APIC does not use a REST API as a Southbound protocol toward ACI switches - that role belongs to OpFlex.
D. APIC uses a declarative (policy-driven) model, not an imperative one; imperative models specify exact step-by-step device instructions, which characterizes traditional CLI management and protocols like OpenFlow.

Concept tested. Cisco ACI APIC declarative policy model vs traditional SDN

Reference. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/data-center-virtualization/application-centric-infrastructure/white-paper-c11-731302.html

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