Drag each automation or API concept from the left to its corresponding description on the right. Not all descriptions are used.
Concepts: - Northbound API - Southbound API - JSON - HTTPS
Drag a concept onto its matching description — or click a concept then click the description.
Application-facing interface to the controller
Controller-facing interface toward managed infrastructure
Structured data format
Secure transport for API communication
⚠ Common exam trap
Be careful not to confuse JSON and YAML: JSON uses brackets and is machine-friendly, while YAML uses indentation and is human-friendly. Also, remember that Ansible uses YAML, not XML.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Application-facing interface to the controller
Northbound API: the application-facing interface of an SDN controller, allowing apps to request services. Southbound API: the interface that enables the controller to configure managed devices, such as OpenFlow. JSON: a structured data format using key/value pairs and arrays, lightweight and machine‑friendly. HTTPS: secure, encrypted transport for API communications, protecting data in transit. Distractors: 'Human-readable serialization format' describes YAML, not JSON or APIs. 'Protocol for network device configuration' might refer to NETCONF or CLI, not HTTPS or the APIs listed.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Application-facing interface to the controller
Why this is correct
This is the correct match for a Northbound API. A northbound API is the programmatic interface exposed by an SDN controller to applications, orchestration platforms, or business logic, allowing them to request network services, retrieve telemetry, and configure policies without low-level device details. Because it faces the application layer, 'Application-facing interface to the controller' precisely captures its role.
Controller-facing interface toward managed infrastructure
Why this is correct
This is the correct match for a Southbound API. The southbound API is used by the SDN controller to communicate with the managed network infrastructure, such as switches, routers, and wireless access points, using protocols like OpenFlow, NETCONF, or SNMP. The phrase 'Controller-facing interface toward managed infrastructure' accurately describes this downward communication path from the controller to devices.
Structured data format
Why this is correct
This is the correct match for JSON (JavaScript Object Notation). JSON is a text-based, structured data format that represents objects as collections of key-value pairs and arrays, making it ideal for exchanging data between REST API clients and servers. Its structure is human-readable while still being easily parsed by programming languages, so 'Structured data format' is the right definition.
Secure transport for API communication
Why this is correct
This is the correct match for HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure). HTTPS encapsulates HTTP traffic within a TLS (Transport Layer Security) session, providing confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for REST API requests and responses over the network. Because it secures the transport channel, the description 'Secure transport for API communication' directly aligns with HTTPS.
Quick reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
Go deeper
Learn chapter
Agentic AI in Network Operations
Key term
HTTPS
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP that encrypts data between a web browser and a web server using SSL/TLS protocols.
Key term
SDN
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is an approach to network management that separates the control plane (decision-making) from the data plane (traffic forwarding), allowing centralized, programmable network control.
About these practice questions
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.