Software-Defined Networking - The most significant
promise of software-defined networks (SDN) is that they centralize and simplify
management control over corporate networks. But what are the specific
advantages of the software-defined network? Different providers make different
claims, but the most cited benefits of the software-defined network are traffic
planning, greater agility, the ability to create a policy-oriented network
monitoring and implement network automation. Net. SDN promises to allow systems
to keep up with the speed of change.
One
of the main advantages of the software-defined network is that it creates a framework to support applications with higher data usage, such as big data and
virtualization. Big Data is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 27%,
according to IDC, which means it will become a $ 32.4 billion market in 2017.
IDC also predicts that by the end of this year, 70% of all the workloads of the
installed server will be in virtual machines. Big Data motivate the adoption of
virtualization, and SDN provides the means to manage virtual machines and Big
Data network traffic.
Here
is a list of some of the specific advantages of the software-defined network:
1. Centralized Network
Provisioning
Software-defined
networks provide a centralized view of the entire system, making it easy to
centralize administration and provisioning for the enterprise. For example,
more and more VLANs are becoming physical LANs, creating a Gordian knot of
links and dependencies. Bypassing control and data plans, SDN can accelerate
service delivery and provide more agility in provisioning virtual and physical
network devices from a central location.
2. Complete Business
Management
Commercial
networks must configure new applications and virtual machines on-demand to meet
further processing demands, such as big data. SDN allows IT managers to
experiment with network configuration without affecting the network. SDN also
supports the administration of physical and virtual switches and network
devices from a central controller, something you cannot do with SNMP. SDN
provides a unique set of APIs to create a single management console for
physical and virtual devices.
3. More Granular
Security
One
of the benefits of defined security networks that appeals most to IT
administrators is centralized security. Virtualization has made network
management more difficult. With virtual machines entering and leaving as part
of physical systems, it is more challenging to enforce firewall policies and
content filtering consistently. When you add complexities, such as protecting
BYOD devices, the security issue is compounded.
The
SDN controller provides a central point of control to distribute security
information and policies consistently throughout the company. Centralizing
security control in a single entity, such as the SDN controller, has the
disadvantage of creating a central attack point, but the SDN can be used to
manage security throughout the enterprise if configured. They are implemented
safely and correctly.
4. Reduction Of
Operating Costs
Administrative
efficiency, improved server use, better virtualization control, and other
benefits are expected to generate operational savings. While it is still too
early to show real evidence of savings, SDN is expected to reduce overall
operating costs and make administrative savings, since many routine network
management problems can be centralized and automated.
5. Reduced Material Savings
And Reduced Capital Costs
The
adoption of SDN also gives new life to existing network devices. SDN
facilitates the optimization of standardized equipment. Existing hardware can
be reused using the instructions of the SDN controller, and the cheaper
hardware can be implemented more effectively, since the new devices essentially
become "white box" switches, with all the intelligence centered on
the SDN controller.
