SDN Architecture & Core Concepts
Question Correct Answer & Rationale
What is the primary architectural change B) Decoupling the network control (control
introduced by Software-Defined plane) from the forwarding functions (data
Networking (SDN)? plane) . SDN fundamentally separates the
decision-making logic (control plane) from the
underlying hardware that forwards traffic
(data plane). This centralizes and simplifies
network management .
What is the primary goal of B) To centralize network control and
Software-Defined Networking (SDN)? management . SDN's main objective is to
move away from the traditional, distributed
control model where each device makes its
own decisions. Instead, it uses a centralized,
software-based controller for holistic network
management .
Which SDN plane is responsible for D) Data plane . The data plane, also known as
actual packet forwarding? the forwarding plane, consists of networking
devices like switches and routers. These
devices follow instructions from the control
plane to forward packets .
, What advantage does separating the C) Centralized management and flexibility .
control plane from the data plane provide This separation allows network policies to be
in SDN? managed from a single controller rather than
configuring each device individually. This
centralization simplifies troubleshooting,
improves scalability, and offers greater
network flexibility .
🤝 SDN APIs, Protocols & Components
Question Correct Answer & Rationale
Which API allows applications to C) Northbound API . Northbound APIs (NBIs)
communicate with the SDN controller? are the interfaces between SDN applications
(like security or load-balancing apps) and the
SDN controller. They allow applications to
define network policies .
What is the primary role of the C) Communicate with network devices .
southbound API in SDN? Southbound APIs, such as OpenFlow, are the
interfaces between the SDN controller and the
data plane devices (switches and routers).
They allow the controller to instruct these
devices on how to handle traffic .
Question Correct Answer & Rationale
What is the primary architectural change B) Decoupling the network control (control
introduced by Software-Defined plane) from the forwarding functions (data
Networking (SDN)? plane) . SDN fundamentally separates the
decision-making logic (control plane) from the
underlying hardware that forwards traffic
(data plane). This centralizes and simplifies
network management .
What is the primary goal of B) To centralize network control and
Software-Defined Networking (SDN)? management . SDN's main objective is to
move away from the traditional, distributed
control model where each device makes its
own decisions. Instead, it uses a centralized,
software-based controller for holistic network
management .
Which SDN plane is responsible for D) Data plane . The data plane, also known as
actual packet forwarding? the forwarding plane, consists of networking
devices like switches and routers. These
devices follow instructions from the control
plane to forward packets .
, What advantage does separating the C) Centralized management and flexibility .
control plane from the data plane provide This separation allows network policies to be
in SDN? managed from a single controller rather than
configuring each device individually. This
centralization simplifies troubleshooting,
improves scalability, and offers greater
network flexibility .
🤝 SDN APIs, Protocols & Components
Question Correct Answer & Rationale
Which API allows applications to C) Northbound API . Northbound APIs (NBIs)
communicate with the SDN controller? are the interfaces between SDN applications
(like security or load-balancing apps) and the
SDN controller. They allow applications to
define network policies .
What is the primary role of the C) Communicate with network devices .
southbound API in SDN? Southbound APIs, such as OpenFlow, are the
interfaces between the SDN controller and the
data plane devices (switches and routers).
They allow the controller to instruct these
devices on how to handle traffic .
