With Model Driven Networking (MDN), the operational and configuration data is modeled using YANG. There are three main types of YANG modules: Native, IETF, and OpenConfig, all of which describe the configuration hierarchy and supported features using YANG models.
These models are then encoded in XML and transferred using NETCONF or any other API (like RESTCONF or gRPC). The models can be standardized and understood by multiple vendors, greatly increasing the potential to automate the network.