CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate — Question 307

Which purpose does a northbound API serve in a controller-based networking architecture?

Answer options

• A. facilitates communication between the controller and the applications
• B. reports device errors to a controller
• C. generates statistics for network hardware and traffic
• D. communicates between the controller and the physical network hardware

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A because a northbound API is designed to facilitate communication between the controller and various applications, allowing for better orchestration and management. Options B, C, and D describe functions that are typically associated with other parts of the networking architecture, such as southbound APIs or network monitoring tools, rather than the primary purpose of a northbound API.