Our last few blogs, we have been discussing about the next generation networking solution – SD-WAN that will transform the way IT networks are being managed globally. We now take the time to discuss the base of everything digital – Software Defined Networking.
Software-Defined Networking is not a new term. Since 2010, when Martin Casado (Co-founder of Nicira) suggested a profound way for the computer networks to function, many solutions in the field of SDN have been patented by Nicira.
A simple time would perhaps be prudent to show the origin and the escalation of what SDN is today.
What Was the Need for A New Network Architecture?
More times than we can count, a static architecture, like Legacy WANs, has proven to be ill-suited to the dynamic computing and storage needs of today’s enterprise data centres, campuses, and carrier environments. The SDN architecture was suggested specifically to combat the need for a dynamic WAN.
The initial versions of SDN were created exclusively for Data Centres, where the intelligence separated the control plane from the network device itself. The centralizer controller understood the entire topology of the network.
The flexibility provided by SDN allows better application performance, along with, reduced time spent maintaining the environment. SDN centralizes network intelligence in one component, by decoupling, the forwarding process of network packets from the routing process.
Top Advantages of the SDN Architecture
- Centrally managed system. This gives the Controller, visibility, and absolute control across the network.
- Simplified configuration and tighter security
- Network administrators can quickly make adjustments, to the network, based on changing requirements.
- Provides real-time network presence
- Human errors reduce drastically due to automation
- Designed to improve the mobility, agility, and flexibility, of networks, and data communication
One of the most recognized applications of the SDN architecture is SD-WAN. If you are a regular player in the market and have been following our blogs, you’d know, that the SD-WAN, is the most secured, state-of-the-art and cost-effective technology for virtualized WAN services and end-to-end cloud-based provisioning.
In short, SD-WAN is the solution, to create, and manage long distance networks and with the best security. Another advantage is for the enterprises, that, have already spent a fortune on their existing legacy architectures, they do not have to replace the entire network to implement and benefit from SD-WAN. They can implement and use in a hybrid WAN scenario.
Many industries have experienced the benefits of SDN architecture and its applications (especially SD-WAN). The telecom industry and the hospital industry, more than most. Telecom industry is to be given special credit in its implementation of SDN or its applications. It has transformed the entire industry by improving the ability of the carriers, the flexibility to allocate bandwidth as per demand and improving the overall manageability.
Conclusion
Software-Defined Networking is going to remain an underlined reality for a long time. The architecture is like a chameleon and can take a variety of forms as per the network’s requirements. So not only that the large and medium sized conglomerates benefit from this architecture but due to better visibility of issues, better security and higher efficiency, even small-scale enterprises can enjoy the perks of software-defined networking by transforming their networks too.
At Lavelle Networks, we ask our prospective customers — that as enterprises with requirements, you must ask yourself whether your legacy WAN is slowing down your performance or causing you nightmare with security issues?
If either answer is positive then it is perhaps time to let go of your traditional WAN and opt for our SD-WAN solution. It has a 100% SDN Architecture in the WAN and will help you transform legacy infrastructure to a Secured, Nimble and a Simple WAN.
1 Comment
A software defined network is definitely more flexible and convenient for use. You have explained the whole timeline of SDN through the first infographic. It is very creative and colourful. I like the way you have interlaced your points with proper images and graphics to add life to the post.