Difference between API and SBI

[ccnaluna93]

These are the definitions from Cisco CCNA book:

An API is a method for one application (program) to exchange data with another application

SBI: it is an interface between a program (the controller) and a program (on the networking device) that lets the two programs communicate, with one goal being to allow the controller to program the data plane forwarding tables of the networking device allow the controller to program the data plane forwarding tables of the networking device.

To me these ones are very similar... could you help me to understand the difference ?

Thank you

[Seb Rupik]

Hi there,

The two are closely linked. An API defines the method of communication that can be used between two disparate systems.

The term SBI (southbound interface) is used to highlight where in the stack the communication is occurring. In SDN, southbound communication occurs between the controller and the NE (network element). Interestingly the controllers southbound interface connects to the NE's northbound interface! So the use of north/ south is used from the perspective of the controller.

An example of a southbound API would be NETCONF and a northbound API could be anything RESTful.

cheers,

Seb.

[omz]

Hi 

Yes they are similar concept using different protocols ... API is northbound .. SBI is also an API named South Bound Interface.

You can read a bit more here - 

https://www.ajsnetworking.com/northbound-vs-southbound-protocols/