- A
Northbound interface
Why wrong: Northbound interfaces are between controller and applications.
- B
Southbound interface
Correct. NETCONF is a southbound protocol.
- C
Application layer
Why wrong: Application layer uses northbound APIs.
- D
Control layer
Why wrong: The control layer contains the controller, but NETCONF is used to communicate with devices, so it's southbound.
Question 362 of 1,000
200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
This 200-901 practice question tests your understanding of network fundamentals. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A developer is writing a script that uses a REST API to configure network devices via NETCONF. Which layer of the SDN architecture does NETCONF belong to?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Southbound interface
NETCONF is a network management protocol used to install, manipulate, and delete the configuration of network devices. In the SDN architecture, the southbound interface is the layer that connects the control plane to the data plane, and NETCONF operates as a southbound protocol by carrying configuration data from a controller or management system down to network devices.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Northbound interface
Why it's wrong here
Northbound interfaces are between controller and applications.
- ✓
Southbound interface
Why this is correct
Correct. NETCONF is a southbound protocol.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Application layer
Why it's wrong here
Application layer uses northbound APIs.
- ✗
Control layer
Why it's wrong here
The control layer contains the controller, but NETCONF is used to communicate with devices, so it's southbound.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between the protocol itself (NETCONF) and the architectural layer it belongs to, leading candidates to mistakenly select 'Control layer' because they associate NETCONF with the controller, rather than recognizing it as a southbound interface protocol.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NETCONF (RFC 6241) uses an XML-based data encoding and operates over SSH (port 830) or TLS, providing transactional configuration operations like <edit-config> and <commit>. In a real-world SDN deployment, a controller like Cisco Network Services Orchestrator (NSO) uses NETCONF as a southbound protocol to push YANG-modeled configurations to devices, enabling automated, consistent network changes across heterogeneous hardware.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-901 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-901 question test?
Network Fundamentals — This question tests Network Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Southbound interface — NETCONF is a network management protocol used to install, manipulate, and delete the configuration of network devices. In the SDN architecture, the southbound interface is the layer that connects the control plane to the data plane, and NETCONF operates as a southbound protocol by carrying configuration data from a controller or management system down to network devices.
What should I do if I get this 200-901 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 200-901 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 200-901 exam.
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