SDN

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a way to manage networks that separate the control plane from the forwarding plane. SDN is a complementary approach to network functions virtualization (NFV) for network management. While they both manage networks, both rely on different methods.

SDN offers a centralized view of the network, giving an SDN Controller the ability to act as the “brains” of the network. The SDN Controller relays information to switches and routers via southbound APIs, and to the applications with northbound APIs. One of the most well-known protocols used by SDN Controllers is OpenFlow, however, it isn’t the only SDN standard, despite some using “SDN” and “OpenFlow” interchangeably.

Centralized, programmable SDN environments can easily adjust to the rapidly changing needs of businesses. SDN can lower costs and limit wasteful provisioning, as well as provide flexibility and innovation for networks.

To learn more about SDN and how it is changing the networking landscape, check out SDxCentral’s continual updates. Here, SDxCentral will keep you up to date with the latest news, whitepapers, videos, and other resources on SDN.

Also check out Network Virtualization (NV), which is part of the movement toward SDN and NFV. View all the available resources on NV here.