Section 15.139 Software-defined Network (SDN)

Question 1

Software-Defined Network (SDN)

Answer 1

Revolutionary approach to network management that enables dynamic, programmatically efficient network configuration

■ Improves network performance and monitoring

■ Reduces complexity in static and inflexible network architectures

■ Provides a centralised view of the entire network

Question 2

SDN Architecture

Answer 2

Decouples network control and forwarding functions

Question 3

Three Distinct Planes

Data Plane (Forwarding Plane)

Answer 3

○ Responsible for handling data packets

○ Makes decisions based on protocols like IP and Ethernet

○ Concerned with sending and receiving data

Example: When you send an email from your network the data plane takes responsibility of moving your email data from your device to the recipents device. It does this by forwarding the data packets through switches and routers

Question 4

Three Distinct Planes

Control Plane

Answer 4

○ Brain of the Network: Centralised decision-maker in SDN

○ Dictates traffic flow across the entire network

○ Replaces traditional, distributed router control planes

○ Increases network manageability and flexibility

Question 5

Three Distinct Planes

Application Plane

Answer 5

○ Hosts all network applications that interact with the SDN controller

○ Applications instruct the controller on network management

○ Controller manipulates the network based on these instructions

SDN Example: Google B4 project: Google uses SDNs to manage its data center networks. Control the flow of data across its network ensuring that bandwidth is used efficiently.