Software defined networking (SDN) separates the control plane that directs data traffic from the underlying hardware switching infrastructure. This allows network control to become directly programmable and the infrastructure to be abstracted from applications and network services. SDN uses the OpenFlow protocol to define instructions for how switches should forward traffic, with the control logic residing separately in software-based controllers. This architecture provides benefits like centralized management, automation through APIs, and the ability to apply policies at the user and application level.

1. Software Defined Networking
Michael Aro

2. Software defined networking (SDN) is a form
of networking in which control over how data
traffic is forwarded to its destination is
separated from the switching hardware.
This technology is changing the way networks
operate and improves the ease and speed that
converged compute, storage and networking
solutions are created.

3. In the SDN architecture, the control and data
planes are decoupled and the network
infrastructure is abstracted from the
applications.
OpenFlow is the protocol specification and
reference implementation of Software Defined
Network (SDN)

4. Separation of control and data plane

5. Separation of control and data plane

6. Traditional Networks
• Applications send data over
the network (and observe
network service levels), but do
not interact directly with the
network infrastructure.
• Infrastructure uses distributed
algorithms to determine
forwarding and routing
decisions, and uses internal
configuration for security and
quality of service settings.

7. SDN Networks
• Applications specifies network
design and policies
• Control compile these policies
into forwarding instructions
and uses the OpenFlow
protocol to set the
instructions on the switches
and routers
• Infrastructure execute these
forwarding instructions and
report flow statistics to the
controller

8. Software Defined Network (SDN)

9. Software Defined Network (SDN)

10. Software Defined Network (SDN)

11. Applying Business Logic to the Network

12. Applying Business Logic to the Network

13. Applying Business Logic to the Network

14. SDN Companies

15. Benefits
• Ability to apply a wide variety of policies at the
session, user, device and application levels which
help applications quickly adapt to the state of the
network and user needs
• Ability to manage and control networking elements
from a centralized point
• Programmability of the network infrastructure by
the entire ecosystem
(e.g., users, enterprises, independent software
vendors, etc.)
• Improved automation and management through
the use of common application programming
interfaces (APIs)

16. Anticipated Benefits
• In the datacenter, network virtualization can improve
server utilization, help optimize bandwidth usage and
provide tighter integration with storage
• In the campus, SDN can help enforce policies
consistently across both wired and wireless networks for
a consistent and secure user experience.
• Programmability of the network infrastructure by the
entire ecosystem (e.g., users, enterprises, independent
software vendors, etc.)
• Improved automation and management through the use
of common application programming interfaces (APIs)
Visualizing Openflow/SDN

17. Conclusion
• Open
• Flexible
• Dynamic

18. Thank you