As the number of users, devices, and distributed applications grows, the network environment becomes exponentially more complex, correspondingly increasing the cost of maintaining such a network. Therefore, in search of efficient use of resources, they came to the SDN solution.
SDN is an architecture designed to make the network more flexible and easier to manage. SDN centralizes control by abstracting the control plane from the data forwarding function in discrete network devices.
The SDN solution has already become widespread in data centers (64%), wide area networks (58%) and access networks (40%).
Features and benefits:
- Simplify operations — create programmable networks that automatically detect and automatically configure interfaces and switches;
- Troubleshoot faster — Improve network performance with network analytics, machine learning, and predictive analytics;
- Enhanced Security – Deploy consistent, trustless access across your network with policy-based segmentation
- Improve your infrastructure – Create a platform to automate lifecycle management across access, WAN and cloud domains.
SDN serves as a foundational element of an end-to-end intent-based network (IBN) architecture. SDN is limited to automated provisioning and configuration. IBN transforms a manual, hardware-centric network into a controller-driven network that captures business intent and translates it into policies that can be automated and applied consistently across the network. The goal is for the network to continuously monitor and adjust network performance to help deliver desired business outcomes.
Networks driven by controllers in all domains (including access, WAN, data center, and cloud) collaborate and extend their benefits across the enterprise and help make digital transformation a reality.
A closed-loop IBN system works with the following functional units to achieve the goals or support the business or IT outcomes required by your organization.
- Broadcasting: Capturing and translating intent into policies that the network can act upon.
- Activation: Establishing these policies across physical and virtual network infrastructure using network-wide automation.
- Assurance: Using analytics and machine learning to continuously monitor the network to verify that the desired intent is applied and business results are achieved.
“broadcast” and “warranty” in IBN and you can automate the complete life cycle of the network, thereby constantly adjusting the network to business needs.