- A
Reduced need for network engineers.
Why wrong: SDN changes roles but does not eliminate need for engineers.
- B
Automation of network configuration changes.
Programmability allows automated changes via APIs.
- C
Faster deployment of new network services.
Software-based control speeds up service deployment.
- D
Centralized control and visibility of the network.
SDN separates control plane, centralizing decision-making.
- E
Built-in encryption for all network traffic.
Why wrong: Encryption is not a built-in SDN feature; it depends on protocols.
Question 495 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.
Which THREE of the following are benefits of using an SDN (Software-Defined Networking) architecture compared to traditional networking? (Choose three.)
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
✓
Automation of network configuration changes.
Option B is correct because SDN separates the control plane from the data plane, allowing network administrators to automate configuration changes through a centralized controller (e.g., OpenFlow or Cisco APIC-EM). This eliminates the need for manual, device-by-device CLI changes, reducing human error and enabling rapid, consistent updates across the entire network.
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.
- ✗
Reduced need for network engineers.
Why it's wrong here
SDN changes roles but does not eliminate need for engineers.
- ✓
Automation of network configuration changes.
Why this is correct
Programmability allows automated changes via APIs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Faster deployment of new network services.
Why this is correct
Software-based control speeds up service deployment.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Centralized control and visibility of the network.
Why this is correct
SDN separates control plane, centralizing decision-making.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Built-in encryption for all network traffic.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is not a built-in SDN feature; it depends on protocols.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that SDN eliminates the need for network engineers entirely, but the correct understanding is that SDN automates tasks and centralizes control, not that it removes the human role in network design and troubleshooting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In an SDN architecture, the controller uses protocols like OpenFlow (RFC 7149) to program flow tables in switches, enabling dynamic traffic engineering and policy enforcement. For example, in a data center, SDN can automatically reroute traffic around a failed link by updating flow entries in milliseconds, a task that would take minutes or hours with traditional manual CLI changes. This centralized control also provides real-time network visibility via APIs like RESTCONF or NETCONF, allowing integration with orchestration tools like OpenStack or Kubernetes.
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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Network Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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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: Automation of network configuration changes. — Option B is correct because SDN separates the control plane from the data plane, allowing network administrators to automate configuration changes through a centralized controller (e.g., OpenFlow or Cisco APIC-EM). This eliminates the need for manual, device-by-device CLI changes, reducing human error and enabling rapid, consistent updates across the entire network.
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.
About these practice questions
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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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