Which encoding type is used for a JSON-encoded payload in RESTCONF?

The correct answer is the encoding type used for a JSON-encoded payload in RESTCONF is application/yang.api+json. This specific encoding type is used to denote that the data being sent or received is JSON formatted and conforms to the YANG data model. RESTCONF leverages YANG as a data modeling language, and when communicating using JSON, it's important to specify that the content adheres to this format, hence the inclusion of "yang.api" in the media type.

The selection of this specific media type ensures that the server and client understand that the payload follows both the JSON structure and the YANG model, facilitating seamless integration and interoperability between different systems using the RESTCONF protocol. This is essential for network management and automation where structured data is exchanged in a standard format that is both human-readable and machine-parseable.