200-301 Question 474
Single answerA network engineer is tasked with deploying a software-defined networking (SDN) solution in a data center. The engineer wants to ensure that the network's control plane is centralized for scalability and programmability while the data plane remains distributed on individual switches to handle packet forwarding. Which benefit of separating the control plane from the data plane aligns with this approach?
- A
Improved network security by isolating control traffic from user traffic
- B
Centralized decision-making for routing and traffic engineering
- C
Faster packet forwarding due to centralized control
- D
Reduced hardware requirements for network devices
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Separating the control plane from the data plane in SDN environments centralizes network intelligence and decision-making (control plane) while maintaining distributed packet forwarding (data plane) on the switches. This enables more flexible management and enhanced scalability. Centralized decision-making is a direct result of this separation, making it the correct answer.
- A. Incorrect.
Separating the control plane from the data plane does not inherently improve security by isolating traffic. Security improvements depend on additional configurations and policies.
- B. Correct.
Centralized decision-making is a key benefit of separating the control plane from the data plane. This allows for easier management, better traffic engineering, and more scalable network designs.
- C. Incorrect.
Packet forwarding is handled by the distributed data plane on network devices, not the centralized control plane. Centralizing the control plane does not directly make forwarding faster.
- D. Incorrect.
Separating the control and data planes does not necessarily reduce hardware requirements. Network devices still need to perform data plane operations such as packet forwarding.