Controller-Based Networks: Characteristics and Benefits

Two Key Characteristics of Controller-Based Networks

Question

What are two characteristics of a controller-based network? (Choose two.)

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D. E.

CE.

A controller-based network is a network architecture where the control plane functions are centralized in a single point of the network, called a controller. This controller manages and directs the forwarding decisions of the devices connected to the network, such as switches and access points. The following are two characteristics of a controller-based network:

  1. It moves the control plane to a central point: In a traditional network, each network device has its own control plane, which is responsible for managing and directing traffic on that device. In a controller-based network, the control plane is moved to a central point, which allows for better management, scalability, and automation. By centralizing the control plane, network administrators can manage and configure multiple network devices simultaneously, without having to log into each individual device.

  2. The administrator can make configuration updates from the CLI: In a controller-based network, network administrators can use a Command-Line Interface (CLI) to make configuration updates to the network devices. This allows for greater flexibility and control over the network, as administrators can make changes from a single location. Additionally, this also helps to ensure consistency across the network, as changes made to the controller will be propagated to all the devices connected to the network.

Option A is incorrect, as a controller-based network typically uses more secure management protocols such as SSH rather than Telnet.

Option C is correct, as a controller-based network typically uses northbound and southbound APIs to communicate between the different architectural layers. Northbound APIs are used to communicate between the controller and other network management systems, while southbound APIs are used to communicate between the controller and the network devices.

Option D is incorrect, as a controller-based network centralizes the control plane rather than decentralizing it.

Therefore, the correct answers are B and C.