Software-Defined
Networking (SDN) and
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) offers ways to design build and
manage dynamic, cost-effective and adaptable networks, making it ideal for the
high - bandwidth, dynamic nature of the applications.
The
basic concept of SDN is to separate control & data plane, centralization of
control and programmability of network.
Why
SDN?
·
Networks
are hard to manage and evolve
·
Computation
and storage have been virtualized
·
Creating
a more flexible and manageable infrastructure
·
Ongoing
innovation in systems software.
SDN
gives far greater flexibility and efficiency to organizations so they can
tailor networking to suit a particular application at any time.
SDN
will help the CSP’s to virtualize their packet core technologies, reduce CAPEX
& OPEX and usher in service innovation.
Google,
Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft and others have invested heavily in Software
Defined Networking.
Network
Functions Virtualisation (NFV) differs from SDN by decoupling the network
functions like DNS, Caching etc. from proprietary hardware applications.
NFV
is able to support SDN by providing the infrastructure upon which the SDN
software can be run.
NFV
is applicable to any data plane packet processing and control plane function in
mobile and fixed networks.
Benefits
of SDN and NFV:
·
Reduced
Capex and Opex
·
Delivering
Agility and Flexibility
·
Reducing
Time to market
Challenges
Faced:
While
SDN and NFV technologies have the potential to realize the benefits mentioned,
there are technical challenges they need to address before realizing the full
potential.
Although
customer demand for SDN and NFV is high, they also face organizational
challenges, lack of skills and a clear business case.
Portability/Interoperability,
Management, Automation, Network stability are some of the other challenges
faced.
Software
Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Market is
forecast to grow at 86% CAGR from $2 Billion in 2015 to USD 45 Billion+ in 2020
NFV represents the lion's share of the combined SDN - NFV market. VC investment
in SDN related technologies has grown manifold from $10M in 2007 to $454M in
2012. SDN acquisitions till date are more than $1.5Billion.
Dennis Marcel
Batch 2016
Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management
Batch 2016
Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management
Hi Dennis, it was a good article that you wrote. If you allow me I would like to simplify SDN concept for the readers.
ReplyDeleteLet’s not focus just on a service providers network only and think about an enterprise network. An enterprise WAN consists of different hardware components including routers, access control servers, firewalls and other security hardware. Configuring and managing all these require varied skills and it is time taking job as each and every network nodes have to be configured one by one.
Now let’s come to the control and data plane part. In the traditional network, the same hardware manages both control and data plane. Data plane is nothing but the path on which user traffic flows and control plane is the one on which control or the signaling messages flow which decide how the user traffic should flow on the network. So the same network node is loaded with two jobs.
SDN segregates the two planes. There is a centralized controller which brings in the feature of policy based routing. A network administrator need not configure each and every network node individually. All configurations and policies can be enabled on the central controller from where these can be pushed on each and every network node remotely. Also one can get complete network view from the controller itself.
Now, let’s come to an enterprise network part. An enterprise network runs on multiple service provider's backbone. By implementing SDN one can manage entire WAN irrespective of network topology and number of service providers on whose backbone WAN has been built.
I am highlighting only a few benefits here and not going into details but I am sure you will understand how Capex and Opex are going to reduce. Trust me SDN is going to disrupt the way packet has flown traditionally on network. Not only that we might even see disruption of the role demarcation between an OEM and service provider.
Vaibhav Chandra
Batch of 2015, SITM
Currently working as Pre-sales Consultant with a leading service provider