Management sessions typically use which three protocols to communicate with a network device?

Management sessions for network devices often utilize three primary protocols: SSH, REST (web) APIs, and NETCONF.

SSH, or Secure Shell, is widely used for secure remote management due to its encrypted communication capabilities. It allows administrators to execute commands on a remote device securely, which is crucial in maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive network configurations.

REST (Representational State Transfer) APIs facilitate interaction with network devices using standard web protocols. They enable developers and operators to programmatically manage and configure devices with a simpler and more flexible interface, often using JSON or XML data formats. This method of management is increasingly popular in modern network programmability as it aligns well with web services and application development practices.

NETCONF is a network management protocol defined in RFC 6241 that allows for the retrieval and manipulation of configuration data in network devices. It provides a standardized way to manage configurations and retrieve operational state information, which is important for automation and orchestration in scalable network environments.

These three protocols—SSH for command-line access, REST APIs for web-based interactions, and NETCONF for structured configurations—are integral to modern network management and automation practices, ensuring secure and efficient communication with network devices.