Which term refers to APIs and compatible hardware/virtual appliances enabling programmable network appliances and systems?

Which term refers to APIs and compatible hardware/virtual appliances enabling programmable network appliances and systems?

• A. Network Functions Virtualization
• B. Secure Access Service Edge
• C. Software-Defined Networking
• D. Cloud Networking

Answer: (C)

Software-Defined Networking focuses on programmable network behavior through software interfaces. It separates the control plane from the data plane, placing the network’s decision-making in a central controller that communicates with devices via open APIs. This enables consistent, centralized programming of how traffic is handled across both physical and virtual appliances, making it possible to deploy new services and adjust network policies quickly without changing the underlying hardware. While NFV virtualization also uses software and APIs, it centers on running network functions as software on commodity hardware rather than controlling the network fabric itself. SASE and Cloud Networking describe security + networking in the cloud and cloud-based networking generally, not the core idea of programmable network control via a software-defined model.

Software-Defined Networking focuses on programmable network behavior through software interfaces. It separates the control plane from the data plane, placing the network’s decision-making in a central controller that communicates with devices via open APIs. This enables consistent, centralized programming of how traffic is handled across both physical and virtual appliances, making it possible to deploy new services and adjust network policies quickly without changing the underlying hardware. While NFV virtualization also uses software and APIs, it centers on running network functions as software on commodity hardware rather than controlling the network fabric itself. SASE and Cloud Networking describe security + networking in the cloud and cloud-based networking generally, not the core idea of programmable network control via a software-defined model.