What does APIC-EM’s northbound communication rely on?

APIC-EM, which stands for Application Policy Infrastructure Controller Enterprise Module, utilizes REST APIs for its northbound communication. REST APIs provide a standardized way for different applications or services to communicate with one another over HTTP. This is particularly important in network programmability as it allows for interaction with the APIC-EM from various applications or orchestration tools.

By using REST APIs, APIC-EM enables developers and admins to create scripts and applications that can easily manage the network infrastructure, automate tasks, and integrate with other systems. This flexibility is a cornerstone of modern network programmability, allowing for easier integration into existing environments and facilitating operations like network monitoring, configuration, and management.

The other options mentioned—SNMP, CLI, and CDP—represent different forms of communication. SNMP is primarily used for network management and monitoring, while CLI facilitates direct command-line interface interactions with devices. CDP, on the other hand, relates to device discovery and topology information rather than the application-level interactions that REST APIs are designed for. In the context of APIC-EM's northbound communication, the reliance on REST APIs highlights its focus on integration and programmability within modern network environments.