Software Defined Networking (SDN)

In general terms, SDN is a network approach that uses software-based drivers or API programming interfaces to communicate with the underlying hardware infrastructure and direct traffic to a network.
Josep compared them to the traditional model, in which networks have dedicated devices to control their traffic. In contrast, with SDNs we have the opportunity to create and control a virtual network as well as traditional devices using software. This has some great advantages such as the following.
• Content delivery. We have the ability to directly automate traffic by implementing quality of service (QoS) for voice over IP, video and audio. This provides a high quality end-user experience.
• Decrease capital expenditures. Because with SDN we can optimize and achieve a greater degree of use of existing devices on the network.
• Centralization. As SDNs offer a view of the network, making it easier to streamline business management and providing greater speed and flexibility.
•    Management. Ability to change network settings without any effect on the network. SDNs support the physical and virtual management of the switch and equipment.
• Customization of the network infrastructure. Administrators can configure network services located on virtual resources and change their location. This allows you to optimize your network data flow and prioritize applications that require more availability.
• Security. An SDN also provides greater visibility into threats. Operators can create zones separated by devices that require different levels of security, or immediately quarantine the devices so that they cannot infect the rest of the network.
Josep also explained that network virtualization allows companies to segment different virtual networks into a single physical network, or connect devices to create a single virtual network. So SDNs are a new way to control and route packets on a centralized server and the Control-Pane as we say is based on software.
Josep then told us that a typical SDN architecture could have the following elements.
• Applications
• Drivers
• Network Devices
Thanks to the SDN, data can be moved quickly between locations, which is critical for cloud applications.
Finally, we were able to see the different types of SDN we can find.
• Open SDN
• SDN for API
• SDN Overlay Model
• Hybrid SDN
So far this article-summary of the paper that I personally found very current and interesting.

Eduard Lecha Puig