hardMultiple Select
350-401 Practice Question: Which three statements about NFV and its…
Which three statements about NFV and its relationship with SDN are true? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is the common misconception that NFV and SDN are interdependent or that one requires the other, leading candidates to incorrectly select options D or E.
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
✓
NFV can leverage SDN to dynamically create and manage network paths between VNFs.
Option A is correct because NFV commonly uses SDN controllers (e.g., OpenDaylight, ONOS) to program flow rules and dynamically establish paths between VNFs, enabling flexible traffic steering. Option B is correct because SDN's control/data plane separation and centralized abstraction let NFV decouple network functions from proprietary hardware, so VNFs can run on commodity servers with programmable connectivity. Option C is correct because NFV and SDN are complementary but architecturally independent: NFV virtualizes network functions, SDN centralizes control, and each can be deployed alone or together. Option D is wrong because NFV can be implemented without SDN, for example using traditional routing and manual configuration. Option E is wrong because service function chaining can be achieved through other mechanisms such as overlay tunnels, policy-based routing, or dedicated appliances, not strictly SDN.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
NFV can leverage SDN to dynamically create and manage network paths between VNFs.
Why this is correct
SDN controllers compute and program forwarding paths, letting NFV orchestration steer traffic dynamically between VNFs without manual configuration. This satisfies the stem's requirement that NFV can leverage SDN to create and manage network paths between virtual network functions.
- ✓
SDN can provide the network abstraction that allows NFV to decouple network functions from underlying hardware.
Why this is correct
SDN's control-plane abstraction presents a programmable view of the network, enabling NFV to run network functions as software decoupled from the underlying hardware. This satisfies the stem's requirement that SDN provides the abstraction allowing NFV to decouple functions from hardware.
- ✓
NFV and SDN are independent technologies that can be deployed separately or together.
Why this is correct
NFV virtualises network functions as software on commodity hardware, while SDN separates the control plane from the data plane. Neither depends on the other, so each can be deployed alone or combined — satisfying the stem's independence claim.
- ✗
SDN is a prerequisite for implementing NFV in any network environment.
Why it's wrong here
NFV and SDN are complementary but architecturally independent; NFV can be deployed on traditional networks without any SDN controller. It is tempting because SDN centralises control and often accompanies NFV deployments, yet NFV's decoupling of network functions from hardware requires no SDN prerequisite.
- ✗
NFV requires SDN to perform service function chaining.
Why it's wrong here
Service function chaining can be achieved through traditional routing, policy-based routing, or manual configuration; SDN is not mandatory. It is tempting because SDN controllers simplify dynamic chain orchestration, but NFV specifications define chaining independently of any SDN control plane.
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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.