Firstly, Software Defined Network makes the network open and programmable. Moreover, the requirement of network is as follows:
- Traffic Engineering
- Routing
- Switching
- Security
- Virtualization
- Monitoring
In addition, it enables the control and management of network using software applications. Certainly, through SDN behavior of entire network is controlled in a central manner using open APIs. It is the decoupling of control and packet forwarding planes in the network.
Implementing a SDN control layer, operators can manage the entire network and its devices easily and consistently. It also offers network programmability.
Also bandwith management, restoration, security is highly optimize because of its central control system. The technologies can abstract the services and applications running on SDN. It makes the network agile and flexible.
Moreover, enterprises use SDN to deploy their applications faster while cutting overall deployment and operating costs. SDN can create virtual networks and work to create a computer network by breaking it down into separate planes. In addition, the four planes are as follows:
- Forwarding Plane
- Operational Plane
- Control Plane
- Management Plane
- Application Plane
Networking Plane
Firstly, Forwarding Plane handles packets in the data path and receives instructions from control plane. It can also contain the forwarding resources.
Secondly, Operational Plane manages the operational state of the network device to check whether the device is active or not. It also checks status of each port and number of ports available.
Thirdly, Control Plane makes decisions on how packets should be given by one or more networking devices. It may also check the current status of a particular port. Also includes topology discovery and maintenance.
Management Plane is responsible for monitoring and configuring networking devices. It also manages fault and configuration management.
Application Plane is where the services and applications that defines network behavior.
Advantages of Software Defined Network
- Centralize network provisioning
- Enterprise management
- Lower operating costs
- More granular security
- Hardware savings
Firstly, it has a centralize view of the entire network.
Secondly, there are security advantages and administrative efficiency.
Disadvantages of Software Defined Network
- Expert staff is a must need for operating it.
- Single point of failure
- Change in complete reconfiguration can lead to increase cost.
Summary
In conclusion, we have learnt that Software Defined Network makes the network open and programmable. It allows the control and management of network using software applications. Certainly, through SDN behavior of entire network is controlled in a central manner using open APIs. It is the decoupling of control and packet forwarding planes in the network.
We have also seen the networking planes i.e Forwarding Plane, Control Plane, Management Plane etc. Also, seen some of the advantages and disadvantages of using SDN.
