Which two general SDN characteristics? (Choose two)

Question

Options

• ASouthbound interfaces are interfaces used between the control plane and the date plane
• BOpenFlow is considered one of the first Northbound APIs used by SDN controllers
• CNorthbound interfaces are open interfaces used between the control plane and the data plane
• DThe separation of the control plane from the data plane
• EOVSDB is an application database management protocol

Explanation

A and D are the two correct answers.

A is correct because southbound interfaces (like OpenFlow and NETCONF) sit between the SDN control plane (the controller) and the data plane (the forwarding devices), allowing the controller to program how traffic is handled. D is correct because the defining characteristic of SDN is decoupling the control plane from the data plane - moving intelligence from individual devices into a centralized controller.

B is wrong because OpenFlow is a southbound API, not northbound - it was one of the first southbound interfaces, used to communicate down from the controller to network devices. C is wrong because northbound interfaces connect the control plane up to applications and business logic, not between the control and data planes - that direction is southbound. E is wrong because OVSDB (Open vSwitch Database) is a southbound protocol used to manage Open vSwitch configurations, not an "application database management protocol."

Memory tip: Think of a building - North is up toward applications (the business layer above the controller), South is down toward the data plane (network devices below the controller). SDN's core identity is always the control/data plane split.

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