Software-Defined Networking - Use Cases

Quiz

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is used to build networks where you can centralize and separate the control plane from the data plane. So it gives you flexibility and efficiency in network operations. SDN has various use cases with various advantages across different industries and environments. These use cases extend to areas like data centers, cloud computing, wide-area networks (WANs), and network virtualization. Below, we discuss some of these use cases in detail.

Network Virtualization

Network virtualization was the first notable use case for SDN. With SDN, you can create virtual networks that operate independently of the physical network. In traditional networking, if you want to create virtual networks then you need manual configurations. But. in SDN, you can use network virtualization to program. So you can create, modify and delete virtual networks using software, without manual intervention on switches and routers.

Each of these virtual networks in SDN can operate within its own environment. Each of these virtual networks has its unique address spaces, security policies, and traffic management rules. For example, you can create separate virtual networks for different departments for their traffic to secure with the same physical infrastructure. You can achieve this separation using encapsulation techniques like VXLAN. So virtual networks can run on top of the physical network.

There are various benefits of SDN in network virtualization. Some of these are given as below −

Isolated virtual networks for different departments.
Programmatic control than virtual network creation.
It also enhanced flexibility in deploying and removing virtual networks as needed.

Cloud Computing

You can also use SDN in cloud computing. Cloud service providers depend on SDN to dynamically manage and provision network resources. SDN has flexibility needed to support on-demand, scalable cloud services because you can automate the network infrastructure.

For example, when a cloud user requests a new virtual machine and service, then SDN can automatically configure the necessary network resources, like IP addresses, firewalls, and load balancers. These configurations are used to support the new instance. So you can accept the changes without requiring manual intervention. Once the resources are no longer needed, the SDN controller can automatically release that. So it also gives you efficient resource utilization.

The advantages of SDN in cloud computing are as given below −

On-demand network provisioning for new services and virtual machines.
Automation of network configurations to reduce manual effort.
Scalability to adapt to changing workloads and growth.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide-Area Networks)

SD-WAN is another SDN use case in enterprise networks. Traditional WANs are tough to manage because of the complexity of connecting multiple remote sites, like branch offices and data centers. These usually require costly and time-consuming manual configurations. So you can use SD-WAN with SDN principles to centralize control and manage WAN traffic through software.

With SD-WAN, you can deploy, configure, and manage remote locations from a central controller. For example, a new branch office can be brought online using Zero-Touch Provisioning. SD-WAN appliances are shipped to the location. Central controller can configure these automatically. So you do not need on-site technical expertise and so speed up deployment times. You can also encrypt tunnels between sites to improve security and better traffic management. So high-priority applications receive the bandwidth these need.

These are various advantages of using SD-WAN −

You can centralize control of WAN traffic to manage remote sites.
You can have Zero-Touch Provisioning for deployment of new locations.
You can enhance security using encrypted tunnels and traffic prioritization.

Data Centers

You can manage their entire network from a central controller. It can automatically adjust network configurations to meet changing application demands. For example, if an application experiences a sudden surge in traffic. Then the SDN controller can allocate more bandwidth for optimal performance.

Another advantage of SDN in data centers is multi-tenancy. Different customers can share the same infrastructure while operating in isolated environments. These can have their own network configuration, security policies, and resource allocations for their activities that do not interfere with one another.

There are various advantages of SDN in data centers. Some of these are given below −

You can centralize management of network resources.
It has dynamic resource allocation for optimal performance.
It has secure isolation for multi-tenancy environments.

Traffic Engineering for WANs

You can use SDN in Traffic engineering like in Wide-Area Networks (WANs) that connect data centers across large geographical areas. In general WANs, traffic flows can be tough to optimize because routing decisions are done independently by each device. But with SDN, traffic engineering becomes more efficient because the SDN controller has a global view of the network and can direct traffic in real-time based on network-wide conditions.

For example, large cloud providers like Google and Microsoft have built SDN-powered WANs to optimize traffic between their data centers. So if a link fails and is congested, the SDN controller can reroute traffic dynamically along the most efficient path so that no link is overloaded.

These are some benefits of SDN for traffic engineering −

Real-time traffic optimization based on overall network conditions.
Dynamic rerouting of traffic to avoid congestion and failed links.
You can also enhance network performance and resource utilization.

Access Networks

SDN principles are also used to access networks, like fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) and mobile networks. Generally, access networks depend on specialized hardware. So it is tough to modify and upgrade. But if you use SDN, network operators can decouple the control plane from the data plane management of access devices.

For example, SDN-Enabled Broadband Access (SEBA) can use SDN to manage fiber access networks. You can centralize control than devices that connect homes and businesses to the internet for service provisioning.

There are various advantages of SDN in access networks. Some of these are given below −

You can centralize control of access devices to reduce management complexity.
It has easier service provisioning and updates.
You can accelerate innovation through software-driven updates.

Network Telemetry

You can use SDN in In-Band Network Telemetry (INT). Generally network monitoring tools depend on sampling techniques and manual inspections. So these can be slow and prone to inaccuracies. But SDN has the ability to collect real-time data directly from the network as packets traverse it for insights into network performance.

With INT, packets carry telemetry instructions because these move through the network. Switches along the path collect data like latency, congestion, and path selection into the packet itself. So you can use information to analyze and detect microbursts, and other network issues.

Some fo advantages of SDN for network telemetry are given as below −

You can monitor real-time traffic conditions.
It gives you detailed insights into network performance and delays.
You can improve troubleshooting using direct data collection from network devices.

Conclusion

There are various use cases of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) because of its advantages. Some of these use cases are network virtualization and cloud computing. These are used to manage data centers, traffic engineering, access network control, etc. SDN gives the flexibility, scalability, and efficiency that general networking methods cannot give. You can centralize control and automate at its core. The SDN Controller acts as the "brain" of the network. These SDN use cases show you the value of centralized control and software-driven management.

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