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In traditional networking, the abstract term management plane describes the protocols and services that configure and monitor network devices. For example, almost every traditional WAN network uses protocols like TELNET, SSH, and SNMP. 

The management plane differentiates from the control plane, which is primarily concerned with routing tables and reachability information computations. The management handles how devices are configured, monitored, and maintained. It carries configuration and visibility traffic like NETCONF transactions, API calls, telemetry, syslog, and software updates. It is not used to forward user data (the data plane), and it is different from routing control between routers (the control plane).

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