What is a capability of the NETCONF protocol?

NETCONF (Network Configuration Protocol) allows for the exchange of configuration data and state information between a network device and a management system using XML-encoded messages over a secure SSH connection.

A. allows Python scripts to be executed externally from a network device - Incorrect. This is not a capability of NETCONF. B. uses JSON to encode data in its content layer - Incorrect. NETCONF uses XML for encoding data. C. allows XML messages to be exchanged via the SSH protocol - Correct. NETCONF uses XML to encode configuration data and state information, and it uses SSH as the transport protocol. D. exposes a web-based interface - Incorrect. NETCONF itself does not provide a web-based interface; it operates over SSH.

References:

NETCONF Protocol