What is a key characteristic of an "Intent-Based Network" (IBN) as promoted by Cisco DNA Center?
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Explanation: Intent-Based Networking (IBN) Fundamentals: IBN is a paradigm shift in network management, moving away from device-centric, manual configuration towards a more automated, policy-driven, and business-intent-focused approach. Key characteristics and goals of IBN include: Business Intent Abstraction: IBN aims to operate at a higher level of abstraction, focusing on what business outcome the network needs to achieve (the "intent"), rather than how to configure individual devices to achieve it. You define business policies and intent in high-level terms. Translation of Intent to Policies: The IBN system (like Cisco DNA Center) translates this high-level business intent into detailed, low-level network policies and configurations required to implement the intent across the network infrastructure. This translation is a key aspect of IBN. Automation and Orchestration: IBN leverages automation to provision, configure, manage, and optimize the network based on the defined policies. It orchestrates network changes and configurations across multiple devices automatically. Analytics and Assurance: IBN systems continuously monitor the network state, collect telemetry data, and provide analytics and assurance to verify that the network is operating as intended and meeting the defined business intent. They can detect deviations from intent and automatically trigger corrective actions. Closed-Loop Automation and Remediation: IBN aims for closed-loop automation, where the system not only automates initial configuration but also continuously monitors, validates, and automatically remediates network issues or deviations from the desired intent. Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Devices: IBN shifts the focus from managing individual network devices to managing network services and business outcomes. The network becomes more aligned with business objectives. Analyzing the Options: A. IBN primarily relies on manual, command-line interface (CLI) based configuration for network management. This statement is FALSE, and in fact, the opposite of IBN's goal. IBN is specifically designed to reduce reliance on manual CLI configuration. IBN seeks to automate network management and move away from device-by-device CLI configuration. Manual CLI configuration is characteristic of traditional network management, which IBN is designed to improve upon. B. IBN focuses on translating high-level business intent into network policies and automated network actions. This statement is TRUE and accurately describes the core principle of IBN. This translation of business intent into network configuration is the defining characteristic and purpose of IBN. C. IBN's main goal is to replace all physical network devices with virtualized network functions (VNFs) in the cloud. This statement is FALSE. While IBN can integrate with virtualized network functions and cloud environments, its primary goal is not to replace all physical devices with VNFs. IBN can manage both physical and virtual network infrastructure. IBN is about the management approach (intent-based, automated), not just about virtualization. You can have IBN managing a network that is primarily physical or a hybrid of physical and virtual. D. IBN prioritizes network security by completely isolating network control and data planes for enhanced threat protection. This statement is partially related but not the primary characteristic and somewhat misleading. While security is a very important outcome of good network design and management, and IBN can improve security through consistent policy enforcement and automation, the primary function of IBN is not solely control/data plane separation for security. Control and data plane separation is an architectural principle that can enhance security, but it is not the defining characteristic of IBN itself. IBN can leverage SDN (Software-Defined Networking) principles, which often involve control/data plane separation, but the core intent of IBN is broader – to align network operations with business intent through automation and policy. Option D focuses on a specific security aspect that is related to but not the primary defining feature of IBN. Why Option B is Correct: Accurately Defines IBN's Core Principle: Option B precisely captures the essence of IBN: the translation of high-level business intent into actionable network policies and automated network actions. This intent-to-action translation is the defining characteristic that sets IBN apart from traditional network management approaches. Why Other Options are Incorrect: Option A (Manual CLI): Opposite of IBN's goal of automation. Option C (Replace Physical with VNFs): IBN is not solely about virtualization; it can manage both physical and virtual infrastructure. Option D (Control/Data Plane Isolation for Security): Security is important, and control/data plane separation can be part of IBN architecture, but it's not the primary defining characteristic of IBN's overall function, which is business intent translation and automation. In Conclusion: Intent-Based Networking represents a significant evolution in network management. Its core promise is to simplify network operations and align network behavior with business objectives by automating the translation of high-level business intent into detailed network configurations and policies. Option B accurately captures this fundamental concept. Understanding IBN and its goals is increasingly important in modern networking, especially in the context of technologies like Cisco DNA Center. This question tests your comprehension of the fundamental principles behind IBN and its core value proposition compared to traditional network management.
This CCNA practice question helps students prepare for Cisco networking certification exams by testing knowledge of network fundamentals, routing, switching, and network security concepts.