What does vManage use to communicate with Cisco SD-WAN devices in the fabric?

vManage uses southbound APIs to communicate with and manage Cisco SD-WAN devices like vSmart controllers, vBond orchestrators, and vEdge/cEdge routers. These APIs facilitate the configuration, monitoring, and orchestration of the SD-WAN fabric. Northbound APIs are used for communication between vManage and external orchestration or automation systems, allowing for integration with higher-level management tools. IPsec is a security protocol used for encrypting data plane traffic between SD-WAN devices, not for control plane communication with vManage. RESTCONF is a protocol for network configuration and management, but in the context of vManage interacting with its managed devices, the broader term "southbound API" encompasses the specific mechanisms used.