What is software define networking? VMware NSX for Horizon.
I tried to describe and move away from the marketing information about one of the most interesting concept in networking for 2015. There are many definition for SDN but one of the definition I most like is “the separation between control plane and Data plane and the ability to control your network from a centralize location”. Multiple vendors has their own version of SDN VMware NSX using an overlay network, Cisco ACI using API’s and traditional OpenSDN that uses the OpenFlow protocol.
Advantages of SDN
- Central network provisioning
- Holistic management
- Granular security
- Lower operating cost
- Hardware saving and capital expenditures
- Guaranteed content delivery
- Cloud abstractions and automation
On the other hand, another concept recently new on the network space is the Network Function Virtualization. NFV we are going to run virtually all the traditional network function such firewall, routing and switching.
- Flexibility: Operators looking to quickly deploy new services require a much more flexible and adaptable network — one that can be easily and quickly installed and provisioned.
- Cost: Cost is a top consideration for any operator or service provider these days, even more so now that they see Google and others deploying massive datacentres using off-the-shelf merchant silicon (commoditized hardware) as a way to drive down cost. Cost is also reflected in opex — how easy it is to deploy and maintain services in the network.
- Scalability: To adapt quickly to users’ changing needs and provide new services, operators must be able to scale their network architecture across multiple servers, rather than being limited by what a single box can do.
- Security: Security has been, and continues to be, a major challenge in networking. Operators want to be able to provision and manage the network while allowing their customers to run their own virtual space and firewall securely within the network.
- Virtualization in another service provider network: To meet customers’ needs better, service providers want the ability to substantiate their service anywhere in the world using virtualization.