Drag and drop the protocol/model on the left to the correct description on the right.
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Data modeling language used to define configuration and state data structures
Protocol using XML over SSH for configuration management and transactional operations
RESTful API using HTTP methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE) over HTTPS
Operation to modify configuration with options like merge, replace, create, delete
HTTP method used for partial updates to a resource
⚠ Common exam trap
Do not confuse NETCONF and RESTCONF: NETCONF uses XML over SSH with a locked configuration datastore and replace operations, while RESTCONF uses HTTPS and standard HTTP methods, often with JSON encoding. Also remember that YANG is a modeling language, not a protocol.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
YANG: Data modeling language used to define configuration and state data structures
YANG is a data modeling language used to define configuration and state data. NETCONF is an XML-based protocol over SSH that supports transactional configuration management. RESTCONF is a RESTful API over HTTPS that uses standard HTTP methods like GET, PUT, POST, DELETE. NETCONF <edit-config> is an operation that modifies configuration with options like merge, replace, create, delete. RESTCONF PATCH is an HTTP method used for partial updates to a resource.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
YANG: Data modeling language used to define configuration and state data structures
Why this is correct
YANG (RFC 7950) is a data modeling language that describes the structure, constraints, and semantics of configuration and state data in a hierarchical tree. It is transport-agnostic and acts as the schema foundation for both NETCONF (XML) and RESTCONF (JSON), enabling interoperable data exchange between network devices and controllers through standardized models like ietf-interfaces.
NETCONF: Protocol using XML over SSH for configuration management and transactional operations
Why this is correct
NETCONF is a network management protocol that encodes RPCs in XML and typically runs over SSH (transport port 830), enabling secure, transactional configuration changes across entire devices. It distinguishes between several datastores (candidate, running, startup), uses a <commit> operation to apply candidate configurations, and supports subscriptions, locking, and an extensible set of operations—making it far more robust than SNMP for day-2 operations.
RESTCONF: RESTful API using HTTP methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE) over HTTPS
Why this is correct
RESTCONF is a RESTful protocol defined in RFC 8040 that uses HTTP methods (GET, PUT, POST, DELETE) over HTTPS to access YANG-defined data on network devices. It supports both JSON and XML encoding, and relies on the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) path to identify resources, making it a lightweight, stateless alternative to NETCONF for programmatic configuration and state retrieval.
NETCONF <edit-config>: Operation to modify configuration with options like merge, replace, create, delete
Why this is correct
The NETCONF <edit-config> operation is a core RPC defined in RFC 6241 that allows a client to change the target configuration datastore (candidate or running) by specifying a set of operations: merge, replace, create, delete, and remove. It uses the 'operation' attribute to control how each data node is applied, and supports options like 'error-option' and 'test-option'—giving network engineers fine-grained transactional control over configuration updates.
RESTCONF PATCH: HTTP method used for partial updates to a resource
Why this is correct
The RESTCONF PATCH method, defined in RFC 8040, applies a partial update to a target resource using the media type 'application/yang-data+json' (or XML). Unlike PUT, which replaces the entire resource, PATCH modifies only the fields specified in the request body, preserving all other existing data—ideal for incremental configuration changes in network automation workflows.
Go deeper
Learn chapter
Network Management Approaches: Device, Cloud, Controller, Automation, and IaC
Key term
Configuration management
Configuration management is the process of systematically tracking and controlling changes to a system's hardware, software, and settings to maintain consistency and reliability.
Key term
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is a cryptographic network protocol that provides secure, encrypted communication and remote administration between two devices over an unsecured network.
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