What type of network allows for the central management of configurations and policies?

A software-defined network (SDN) is specifically designed to centralize the management of configurations and policies through a controller that can dynamically adjust the flow of data across the network. This central control enables network administrators to manage traffic and apply policies without needing to make manual adjustments on individual devices.

In an SDN, the control plane is separated from the data plane, allowing for greater flexibility and automation in network management. Administrators can implement changes across the entire network quickly, responding to differing traffic demands or security needs in real-time. This contrasts with other network types where management can be more distributed or reliant on individual components, making SDN particularly advantageous for environments that require rapid adaptation and streamlined management procedures.

Peer-to-peer networks do not have a centralized management system, while client-server networks depend heavily on a central server existing in a more traditional architecture, lacking the dynamic capabilities of an SDN. Wireless networks can be managed centrally, but that doesn’t inherently imply the software-defined nature or centralized configuration management that characterizes SDNs.