Which component of the ACI architecture translates application policies into network programming?

The Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) is a key component of the ACI architecture, specifically designed to translate application policies into network programming. The APIC acts as the central management and control point for the ACI fabric, allowing network administrators to define and implement policies that align with application requirements.

By establishing these application policies, the APIC aids in automating network provisioning and management, ensuring that network resources are aligned with the dynamic needs of the applications running on the network. It interprets the desired state defined by the applications and translates that into the necessary configurations and behaviors within the network fabric, thus enabling the network to automatically adapt to changes in application demands.

Other options, while related to network management and software-defined networking, do not specifically focus on translating application policies into the necessary configurations or programming needed for the ACI fabric. The Data Center Network Manager and the Software-Defined Networking Controller have functionalities that can support network management and orchestration but do not fulfill the same role as the APIC in the ACI environment. The Virtual Network Controller also serves different purposes, typically focused on managing virtualized network resources rather than translating application-defined policies into actions directly on the ACI infrastructure.