350-401 Infrastructure Practice Question
A network engineer is deploying a Cisco SD-WAN solution using vManage, vSmart, and vBond controllers. Which two statements accurately describe the roles of these controllers in the SD-WAN overlay? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the control plane and data plane responsibilities of vSmart and vBond, or assuming that vSmart handles data forwarding.
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
✓
vBond orchestrates the initial authentication and brings up the control plane connections between vEdge routers and vSmart controllers.
In Cisco SD-WAN, vBond orchestrates initial authentication and control plane connectivity, while vManage provides centralized management. vSmart handles control plane routing and policy distribution, and vEdge routers handle data plane forwarding. The correct statements are about vBond's orchestration role and vManage's management role.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
vBond controllers are responsible for distributing routing information and policies to vEdge routers.
Why it's wrong here
vBond controllers do not distribute routing information or policies. That is the role of vSmart controllers. vBond's primary function is orchestration and authentication during the initial bring-up of vEdge routers. It helps establish connections but does not handle routing or policy distribution. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
- ✗
vSmart controllers are responsible for the data plane forwarding and encryption of traffic between vEdge routers.
Why it's wrong here
vSmart controllers are responsible for the control plane, not the data plane. They distribute routing and policy information to vEdge routers using OMP (Overlay Management Protocol). The data plane forwarding and encryption (IPsec) are handled by the vEdge routers themselves. vSmart does not forward user traffic. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.
- ✓
vBond orchestrates the initial authentication and brings up the control plane connections between vEdge routers and vSmart controllers.
Why this is correct
vBond acts as the orchestrator in Cisco SD-WAN. It is the first point of contact for vEdge routers. It authenticates the routers and provides them with the IP addresses of the vSmart controllers and vManage. vBond also facilitates the establishment of control plane connections (DTLS) between vEdge routers and vSmart controllers. It does not participate in the data plane or routing decisions. Its primary role is onboarding and orchestration.
- ✗
vSmart controllers establish permanent data plane tunnels with each vEdge router for traffic forwarding.
Why it's wrong here
vSmart controllers do not establish data plane tunnels. They establish control plane connections (DTLS) with vEdge routers to exchange OMP routing information. Data plane tunnels (IPsec) are established directly between vEdge routers. vSmart does not forward user traffic and does not have data plane tunnels. Thus, this statement is false.
- ✓
vManage provides a centralized management plane for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the SD-WAN fabric.
Why this is correct
vManage is the management plane component of Cisco SD-WAN. It provides a GUI and API for configuring and monitoring the entire SD-WAN fabric. It pushes configuration templates to vEdge routers, collects statistics, and displays alarms. It also integrates with vSmart and vBond for orchestration. vManage does not participate in the control or data plane. Its role is centralized management, making this statement accurate.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 350-401 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 350-401 exam.