Which protocol is specifically designed to facilitate network configuration and monitoring?

The choice of NETCONF as the correct answer is well-founded because NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) is specifically designed for the purpose of configuring and managing network devices. NETCONF provides a standardized way to interact with network devices and is built around a client-server architecture, allowing for network configuration changes and monitoring to be executed in a structured manner. It employs XML as its data encoding format, which enhances interoperability among different network devices and systems by facilitating a consistent data model.

NETCONF also establishes a secure session using SSH for transport, which is critical for secure device management and prevents unauthorized access during configuration and monitoring tasks. This structured approach enables network operators to automate configuration management, enforce compliance, and monitor network performance effectively.

While SSH and TELNET are protocols used for remote management of devices, they primarily focus on command-line access without the additional capabilities that NETCONF provides for structured configuration management and monitoring. HTTP is a protocol used for transmitting hypertext but does not specifically focus on network device configuration and monitoring tasks. Thus, NETCONF stands out as the protocol tailored for these specific needs in network management.