What are SDN Architecture Layers
Organizations and enterprises worldwide are looking for more cost-effective, reliable, sustainable, and dynamic modes of computing day-by-day. The need for new architectures and infrastructures is rapidly growing, unique, and they introduce new computing methods each day. Companies and enterprises are expanding their horizons and finding different ways for foolproof networking because of the worldwide growth of users and surrounding competition.
Software-defined networks (SDN) are another type of computing. SDN refers to the new and upcoming system of networking. This infrastructure is not only manageable but is also adaptive and reliable. It uses open-source APIs to manage and control the systems centrally. It gives a holistic approach to the already commonly used networking systems. This type of infrastructure helps run the whole underlying system in a centralized and composed fashion.
Working of SDN:
SDN works based on network-defined architectures and uses open-source already programmable APIs. These APIs help in programming the network system more dynamically and managing its resources properly.
SDN comprises four complex technology parts:
- Openness: SDN fosters a “vendor-neutral” environment, and transparency of the applications comes from themselves. Also, using open-source APIs helps in interoperability.
It has an intelligent design, and its open-source implementation makes it compatible with different vendors.
- Abstraction: Services running on an SDN get abstracted from the users, and the approach remains hidden. They only focus on the end product and the usability of the applications.
- Network Programmability: The software living at the back-end of the application used by the open-source APIs helps the hardware interact with them more reliably and efficiently. This enables end-to-end network programmability. With this type of centralized approach, managing and working have become far more straightforward.
- Centralized and intelligent control: SDN is the basis of a centralized program and function, which helps it become a centralized and intelligence unit for the system. It works at the heart of a computing network.
It makes it more reliable and efficient using some of the open-source resources.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architecture has three of the following layers:
- Infrastructure layer
- application layer
- Control layer
The Infrastructure Layer
The infrastructure layer comprises switches that handle the transportation of network traffic from source to destination. It can process data in the network. It transfers the network traffic and data packets using the rules set by the operator.
The infrastructure layer collects traffic statistics, network usage, and traffic statistics and sends them to the control layer.
The Application Layer
The application layer comprises network applications and functions used by the organization. This layer also has programs that explicitly communicate their network behavior and requirements to the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller.
The Control Layer
The control layer is the connecting layer that connects the application layer with the infrastructure layer. The control layer connects layers using the northbound and southbound interfaces. Think of the control layer as the mid-layer.
The northbound interface is the connection between the control and the applications. In contrast, the southbound interface is the linking of the control layer with the infrastructure layer. The control layer processes instructions sent by the application layer via the southbound interface and forwards the instructions to the infrastructure layer via the northbound interface.
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a network architecture that allows the network to get controlled intelligently using software applications. With Software-Defined Networking (SDN), it is easier to manage networks. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) enables the network to get controlled centrally.
The Software-Defined Networking (SDN) layers can manage and control the entire network and devices.
Benefits of Software Defined Networks (SDN):
SDN has significant advantages, which differ from the more common uses of the commonly used networking systems. Following are some benefits:
- Agile: A SDN system is faster and more reliable than a primary computer network. The open-source libraries and APIs used in its design make it more helpful in enhancing the performance of such a system.
- Cost-Effective: As most of the programmable interface of the SDN system comes from open-source APIs, it makes it economical in creating and design. The centralized approach helps in managing it efficiently.
- Vendor-neutral: This is a significant help as it does not concern deployment issues and other factors like finding the best vendors for your needs. The system does all the “grunt” work, which is centralized and easily manageable.
- Easy configuration possible: SDN makes it much easier for managers and admins to configure their systems and make them more accurate easily. The APIs and pre-defined libraries help in this a lot.
A Software-Defined Network (SDN) is also in demand because it provides more capacity and handles user traffic in masses. The system is overall a fast, cost-effective, and adaptive approach to the more common network systems. It also integrates with cloud-based systems. As more and more organizations and enterprises migrate towards cloud-based systems, this also makes it a “must buy” for them.
Following are some of the best use cases of Software-Defined Network (SDN):
- Security Service
- Network Intelligence and Monitoring
- Compliance and Regulation-Bound Applications
- High-Performance Applications
- Distributed Application Control and Cloud Integration
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is cost-effective. It provides competitive technologies in the market. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) uses the concept of abstraction in its methods. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) allows users to interact with their recourses. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a complete entity managed by a centralized resource that helps better integrate the whole environment.
An SDN system is faster and more reliable than a primary computer network. The open-source libraries and APIs used in its design make it more helpful in enhancing the performance of such a system. Using Software-Defined Networking (SDN) helps companies a1nd organizations better their enterprises.
Still, it mainly depends on the end-user to decide which meets their needs the best.
