Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.2AutomationMedium
A network operations team is integrating Cisco DNA Center into their existing network. They need to retrieve real-time network health metrics, inventory data, and provision new network devices programmatically. Which type of API should the team primarily interact with in Cisco DNA Center to accomplish these tasks?
- AInternal APIs
- BSouthbound APIs
- CEast-West APIs
- DNorthbound APIs
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Northbound APIs
Cisco DNA Center's Northbound APIs are designed for external systems and applications to interact with DNA Center, enabling tasks like retrieving network health, inventory, and provisioning. Southbound APIs are used by DNA Center to communicate with the managed network devices themselves.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Internal APIs are for inter-service communication within DNA Center itself, not for external programmatic access.
- B. Southbound APIs are used by DNA Center to communicate with the underlying network devices, not for external systems to interact with DNA Center.
- C. East-West APIs typically refer to communication between services within a data center or cloud, not external interaction with a controller.
Cisco DNA Center Northbound APIs
APIs provided by Cisco DNA Center that allow external systems and applications to programmatically interact with its services, such as network monitoring, inventory management, and device provisioning.
- Enable integration with external systems.
- Used for automation, orchestration, and service consumption.
- Provide access to network intent, assurance, and provisioning capabilities.
- Typically RESTful and use JSON for data exchange.
Memory trick: Northbound APIs are like the front door for external applications to enter and use DNA Center's services.