EXAMINING SDN AND SD-WAN Flashcards
What is SDN?
Software-Defined Network (SDN)
Decouples network control and forwarding functions for more flexible management.
What are the SDN Layers?
- Management plane
- Control plane
- Data plane
Engages directly with network applications, hosts the SDN controller, and consists of the physical and virtual network devices respectively.
What is the role of the Management plane in SDN?
Engages directly with network applications
This plane is responsible for the overall management of the network.
What does the Control plane do in SDN?
Hosts the SDN controller, orchestrating flow control and policy application
It manages the network’s logic and decision-making.
What comprises the Data plane in SDN?
Consists of the physical and virtual network devices
This plane is responsible for forwarding traffic based on the control plane’s decisions.
What are SDN Controllers?
The central authority that manages traffic flow and policy enforcement across the network
Can be a physical or virtualized device.
What is the Northbound interface (NBI) in SDN?
Connects the SDN controller with the applications; utilizes RESTful APIs for communication
Enables developers to program the network using high-level languages like Python and JavaScript.
What is the Southbound interface (SBI) in SDN?
Links the SDN controller with the network devices; OpenFlow is a predominant protocol here
Facilitates the controller’s ability to direct network traffic.
What is OpenFlow?
A foundational protocol for SDN, enabling direct access and manipulation of the forwarding plane of network devices
It allows the SDN controller to control the data plane.
What are RESTful APIs?
Architectural style used for designing networked applications, allowing for easy and dynamic interactions between the SDN controller and applications via HTTP requests
Facilitates communication in a stateless manner.
What is SD-WAN?
Software-Defined Wide Area Network
Extends SDN concepts to wide area networks, overlaying networks over large geographical areas.
What is the focus of SD-WAN?
Delivering a high-performance WAN that uses multiple transport technologies
It aims to optimize network performance and reliability.
What is an Overlay Network?
Virtualizes WAN connections to connect different parts of the network over the internet or a private network.
What are Edge Devices?
Sit at the perimeter of a network, providing connectivity and SD-WAN functionalities.
What is the role of an SD-WAN Controller?
Oversees traffic routing, policy management, and the health of the SD-WAN connections.
What is a Management Interface?
For SD-WAN configuration and monitoring.
What is an Orchestration Interface?
Manages and synchronizes policies and settings across the SD-WAN fabric.
