200-901 Network Fundamentals Practice Question
In an SDN architecture, which layer is responsible for making decisions about where traffic should be forwarded?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between the control plane and management plane, where candidates mistakenly think that configuration (management plane) is the same as making forwarding decisions, but the control plane is the one that dynamically determines traffic paths.
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
✓
Control plane
In SDN architecture, the control plane is responsible for making forwarding decisions by maintaining the network topology and computing paths for traffic flows. It communicates these decisions to the data plane via southbound protocols like OpenFlow or NETCONF, ensuring that packets are forwarded according to the desired policies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Data plane
Why it's wrong here
The data plane forwards packets based on rules from the control plane.
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Application plane
Why it's wrong here
The application plane interacts with the controller via northbound APIs.
- ✗
Management plane
Why it's wrong here
The management plane handles administrative tasks.
- ✓
Control plane
Why this is correct
The control plane decides how traffic should be routed.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.