Understanding Software Defined Approach of Networking

Software-defined networking (SDN) is an approach to mainframe networking application. It is a networking architecture, i.e. dynamic, cost-effective, and adaptable  solution for today’s high-bandwidth applications. It allows network administrators to manage network by providing a higher degree of functionality in the programming. In this approach, decoupling of controller that takes the decisions is done from underlying systems.  In technical terminology control plane is separated from forwarding plane.

SDN was commonly associated with the OpenFlow approach. The OpenFlow practice is a foundational element for building SDN solutions. The OpenFlow protocol is for remote communication with network plane elements. However, OpenFlow act as a single-solution  that holds a number of unique different techniques.  SDN enables network control to become directly programmable.

Basic properties of SDN architecture include the following:

• Directly programmable: As networking plane is decoupled from forwarding plane, it becomes directly programmable.
• Agile: It lets administrators to adjust to the network-wide traffic flow.
• Central Management: Network is centralized in a software-based SDN controllers. This helps to achieve a global view of the network. Applications and policy appears as a single approach and within a logical switch.
• Programmability: SDN lets network managers to configure and manage network resources very quickly. It follows dynamic, automated programs, that do not depend on proprietary software.
• Vendor-neutral approach: It simplifies network design as instead of multiple, vendor-specific devices and protocols are followed.

Why there is a Need for Software Defined Approach?

With the explosion of networking devices and cloud services, the networking industry is re-examining the traditional networking architectures. Many conventional networks are hierarchical, and   ill-suited for the dynamic computing and storage needs.  That’s why today’s enterprise driven approach requires data and networking environments with more software dependent approach. Hyperscale SDN switches architecture may facilitate the network-related security applications. As per the controller’s view, it has the capacity to reprogram the data plane at any time.

Benefits of Software Defined Approach:

• SDN enabled networks tries to use a single hardware forwarding plane for sharing multiple separated logical networks.
• The same hardware resources can be used for separate monitoring, configuration and internet traffic.
• SDN has security applications benefits by implementing moving target’s defense.
• Tasks become more straightforward due to centralized approach by the controller.
• SDN network have its own topology called slice.
• Developing applications for software defined networks requires wide-range of checks on programming errors.
• SDN controller applications require scalability.
• It introduces an overarching security architecture.
• Requires a comprehensive and protracted approach.