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Difficulty: EasyComparing Traditional Networks with Controller-Based Networking

A network administrator is evaluating the core architectural differences between traditional networking and controller-based software-defined networking (SDN). In a controller-based architecture, how is the control plane managed compared to a traditional network?

  1. Control plane intelligence is centralized on a software controller that dynamically programs forwarding logic onto network devices.Answer
  2. B
    Each network device maintains its own independent control plane logic using local routing algorithms without external oversight.
  3. C
    Control plane operations are executed exclusively by REST-based HTTP GET requests initiated by end-user client devices.
  4. D
    The control plane is removed completely, forcing network switches to handle data forwarding through local JSON scripts.

Answer

Control plane intelligence is centralized on a software controller that dynamically programs forwarding logic onto network devices.
In a controller-based network, control plane functions are decoupled from individual network hardware and centralized into a software-defined controller. The controller maintains a global view of the network topology and uses Southbound APIs (such as OpenFlow, NETCONF, or RESTCONF) to program the forwarding tables of data plane devices.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the plane separation characteristics of traditional vs. controller-based networks.
Traditional networks distribute both control and data planes across every node, whereas controller-based networks centralize control plane functions.
Centralizing the control plane allows software controllers (such as Cisco DNA Center) to maintain global network state and push configuration/forwarding rules via Southbound APIs.

Key Concept

Centralized Control Plane in SDN vs. Distributed Control Plane in Traditional Networking
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Comparing Traditional Networks with Controller-Based Networking

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