Final answer:
The Northbound API enables an SDN controller to communicate with devices in the data plane by transmitting network policies to networking components for a dynamic and adaptable network.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to this question is Northbound API. A Northbound API is an interface that allows an SDN controller to communicate with devices in the data plane. It is responsible for receiving and processing requests from applications or services and translating them into commands that can be understood by the network devices.
The feature that enables an SDN controller to communicate with devices in the data plane is called the Northbound API. This interface allows the controller to manage and transmit the abstracted network policies to the individual networking components. The data plane, consisting of switches and routers, is directly programmable through these APIs, allowing for a dynamic, manageable, and cost-effective network that can adapt to changing business requirements and technological shifts.