SDN & Computer Networks Exam
2026/2027: 85 Practice Questions on
OpenFlow, BGP Security, DDoS Defense,
DNS Censorship & Video Streaming (with
Answers)
Description:
Master SDN, BGP hijacking, DDoS mitigation, DNS censorship, adaptive video streaming
& OpenFlow with 85 exam-style MCQs. Detailed explanations included. Perfect for university
students & certification candidates.
Download now and ace your 2026/2027 networking exam!
, SDN Exam Questions 2026: 85 MCQs with Answers
SECTION A: SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKING FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
What fundamental challenge primarily motivated the development of Software-Defined
Networking (SDN)?
A) Insufficient bandwidth in backbone networks
B) Complexity and difficulty in managing heterogeneous network equipment with proprietary
technologies
C) Lack of IPv4 address space
D) High latency in wide-area networks
Answer: B
Explanation: The primary motivation for SDN development was the increasing complexity of
network management caused by diverse equipment from multiple vendors, each running
proprietary control software. This heterogeneity made networks difficult to manage, slowed
innovation, and significantly increased operational costs. SDN emerged as a response to these
challenges by decoupling the control and data planes and providing a standardized way to
program network behavior.
Question 2
In SDN architecture, what are the two main planes that are separated from each other?
A) Management plane and application plane
B) Control plane and data plane
C) Routing plane and switching plane
D) Physical plane and virtual plane
Answer: B
,Explanation: SDN fundamentally separates the control plane (which makes decisions about
where traffic is sent) from the data plane (which actually forwards traffic according to these
decisions). This separation enables centralized control, programmability, and rapid innovation in
network management.
Question 3
Which of the following correctly describes the function of the data plane in networking?
A) It determines optimal paths using routing protocols
B) It performs actual forwarding of packets based on forwarding tables
C) It manages network configurations and policies
D) It monitors network performance metrics
Answer: B
Explanation: The data plane is responsible for the actual forwarding of packets as dictated by
the control plane. Functions such as IP forwarding and layer 2 switching are performed by the
data plane. In contrast, the control plane determines forwarding behavior through routing
protocols, and the management plane handles network configuration and monitoring.
Question 4
What is the primary advantage of separating the control plane from the data plane in SDN?
A) Reduced hardware costs
B) Independent evolution and development of control and forwarding functions
C) Elimination of all network protocols
D) Faster packet forwarding speeds
Answer: B
Explanation: Separating control and data planes allows each to evolve independently. Routers
can focus solely on forwarding, while routing algorithms can improve without affecting existing
, routers. This decoupling also enables the use of high-level software programs for control,
making the network more programmable and easier to debug.
Question 5
Which of the following best describes the relationship between forwarding and routing in SDN?
A) Forwarding and routing are performed by the same device with no distinction
B) Forwarding tables are computed by remote controllers and distributed to routers which only
perform forwarding
C) Routing is hardware-based while forwarding is software-based
D) There is no relationship between forwarding and routing
Answer: B
Explanation: In the SDN approach, a remote controller computes and distributes forwarding
tables to routers. The routers are solely responsible for forwarding, while the controllers handle
all routing decisions. This clear separation of functionalities represents a fundamental shift from
traditional networks where routing and forwarding were tightly coupled within each router.
SECTION B: EVOLUTION AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SDN
Question 6
What are the three historical phases in the development of SDN?
A) Active routing, distributed control, and OpenFlow
B) Active networks, control and data plane separation, and OpenFlow API with network
operating systems
C) IPv4, IPv6, and SDN
D) Packet switching, circuit switching, and software-defined networking
Answer: B
2026/2027: 85 Practice Questions on
OpenFlow, BGP Security, DDoS Defense,
DNS Censorship & Video Streaming (with
Answers)
Description:
Master SDN, BGP hijacking, DDoS mitigation, DNS censorship, adaptive video streaming
& OpenFlow with 85 exam-style MCQs. Detailed explanations included. Perfect for university
students & certification candidates.
Download now and ace your 2026/2027 networking exam!
, SDN Exam Questions 2026: 85 MCQs with Answers
SECTION A: SOFTWARE-DEFINED NETWORKING FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
What fundamental challenge primarily motivated the development of Software-Defined
Networking (SDN)?
A) Insufficient bandwidth in backbone networks
B) Complexity and difficulty in managing heterogeneous network equipment with proprietary
technologies
C) Lack of IPv4 address space
D) High latency in wide-area networks
Answer: B
Explanation: The primary motivation for SDN development was the increasing complexity of
network management caused by diverse equipment from multiple vendors, each running
proprietary control software. This heterogeneity made networks difficult to manage, slowed
innovation, and significantly increased operational costs. SDN emerged as a response to these
challenges by decoupling the control and data planes and providing a standardized way to
program network behavior.
Question 2
In SDN architecture, what are the two main planes that are separated from each other?
A) Management plane and application plane
B) Control plane and data plane
C) Routing plane and switching plane
D) Physical plane and virtual plane
Answer: B
,Explanation: SDN fundamentally separates the control plane (which makes decisions about
where traffic is sent) from the data plane (which actually forwards traffic according to these
decisions). This separation enables centralized control, programmability, and rapid innovation in
network management.
Question 3
Which of the following correctly describes the function of the data plane in networking?
A) It determines optimal paths using routing protocols
B) It performs actual forwarding of packets based on forwarding tables
C) It manages network configurations and policies
D) It monitors network performance metrics
Answer: B
Explanation: The data plane is responsible for the actual forwarding of packets as dictated by
the control plane. Functions such as IP forwarding and layer 2 switching are performed by the
data plane. In contrast, the control plane determines forwarding behavior through routing
protocols, and the management plane handles network configuration and monitoring.
Question 4
What is the primary advantage of separating the control plane from the data plane in SDN?
A) Reduced hardware costs
B) Independent evolution and development of control and forwarding functions
C) Elimination of all network protocols
D) Faster packet forwarding speeds
Answer: B
Explanation: Separating control and data planes allows each to evolve independently. Routers
can focus solely on forwarding, while routing algorithms can improve without affecting existing
, routers. This decoupling also enables the use of high-level software programs for control,
making the network more programmable and easier to debug.
Question 5
Which of the following best describes the relationship between forwarding and routing in SDN?
A) Forwarding and routing are performed by the same device with no distinction
B) Forwarding tables are computed by remote controllers and distributed to routers which only
perform forwarding
C) Routing is hardware-based while forwarding is software-based
D) There is no relationship between forwarding and routing
Answer: B
Explanation: In the SDN approach, a remote controller computes and distributes forwarding
tables to routers. The routers are solely responsible for forwarding, while the controllers handle
all routing decisions. This clear separation of functionalities represents a fundamental shift from
traditional networks where routing and forwarding were tightly coupled within each router.
SECTION B: EVOLUTION AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF SDN
Question 6
What are the three historical phases in the development of SDN?
A) Active routing, distributed control, and OpenFlow
B) Active networks, control and data plane separation, and OpenFlow API with network
operating systems
C) IPv4, IPv6, and SDN
D) Packet switching, circuit switching, and software-defined networking
Answer: B
