Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.2AutomationMedium
A network engineer wants to retrieve configuration data from a Cisco device in a structured, programmatic way. The engineer needs to ensure that the retrieved data adheres to a predefined data model, allowing for easy parsing and validation by automation scripts. Which protocol supports this requirement by providing a clear separation between configuration data and operational state, and typically uses XML for data encoding?
- ASSH (CLI)
- BNETCONF
- CTelnet
- DSNMP
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. NETCONF
NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) is an XML-based protocol designed for managing network device configurations. It explicitly separates configuration data from operational state data, uses YANG models to define data structures, and provides robust mechanisms for configuration management, including transactional capabilities and error handling, typically over SSH.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SSH (CLI) provides command-line access, which is not structured for programmatic parsing or validation without custom screen scraping.
- C. Telnet is an insecure command-line protocol, not programmatic or structured.
- D. SNMP is primarily for monitoring and uses MIBs, not for structured configuration management or clear separation of config/state.
NETCONF Protocol
An XML-based network management protocol that provides mechanisms to install, manipulate, and delete configuration data on network devices, offering structured, programmatic access and transactional capabilities.
- Uses XML for data encoding.
- Typically runs over SSH for secure transport.
- Relies on YANG models for data definition.
- Separates configuration data from operational state.
- Supports transactional configuration and error handling.
Memory trick: NETCONF is the secure, structured librarian for your network's configuration books.