Republic of Iraq
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
University of Kufa
Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics
Software Defined Networks:
A survey
By
PhD. Stu. Mohamed Abdulrahman Abdelhamid
Supervisor
Asst. Prof. Dr. Salam Al-augby
2021-2022
Overview
Introduction.
What is SDN?
Infrastructures of SDN.
Architectural components of SDN
OpenFlow Protocol.
Applications of SDN.
References.
Mohamed A. Abdelhamid
2022
Introduction
Figure 1: Network Infrastructure Mapping [1].
❖ A computer network is comprised of nodes and links, a node is the
end point of any branch in a computer, a terminal device,
workstation or interconnecting equipment facility.
❖ A link is a communication path between two nodes. The terms
“circuit” and “Channel” are frequently used as synonyms for the link.
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Management, Control and Data Plane
Figure 2: Management, Control and Data Plane of Network [1].
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What is SDN?
 Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a network
architecture approach that enables the network to be
intelligently and centrally controlled, or ‘programmed,’
using software applications.
 This helps operators manage the entire network consistently
and holistically, regardless of the underlying network
technology.
 The monumental growth in multimedia content, the
explosion of cloud computing, the impact of increasing
mobile usage, and continuing business pressures to reduce
costs while revenues remain flat are all converging to wreak
havoc on traditional business models.
Mohamed A. Abdelhamid
2022
3
Infrastructures of SDN
Briefly, Software defined
network (SDN) decouples
the network control and
data planes.
Figure 3: Infrastructures of SDN [3].
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5
Figure 4: Architectural components of SDN [2].
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SDN Control to Data-Plane Interface (CDPI)
 The SDN CDPI is the interface defined
between an SDN Controller and an SDN
Datapath, which provides at least
(i) programmatic control of all forwarding
operations,
(ii) capabilities advertisement,
(iii) statistics reporting, and
(iv) event notification.
 One value of SDN lies in the expectation
that the CDPI is implemented in an open,
vendor-neutral and interoperable way.
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SDN Northbound Interfaces (NBI)
 SDN NBIs are interfaces between SDN
Applications and SDN Controllers and
typically provide abstract network views
and enable direct expression of network
behavior and requirements.
 This may occur at any level of abstraction
(latitude) and across different sets of
functionality (longitude).
 One value of SDN lies in the expectation
that these interfaces are implemented in an
open, vendor-neutral and interoperable
way.
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Applications of SDN
SD-LAN Application
 An SD-LAN is a Local area network (LAN) built around the
principles of software-defined networking, though there are key
differences in topology, network security, application visibility
and control, management and quality of service [4].
 SD-LAN decouples control management, and data planes to
enable a policy driven architecture for wired and wireless LANs.
 SD-LANs are characterized by their use of a cloud management
system and wireless connectivity without the presence of a
physical controller [5].
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References
 [1] Oliveira, Tadeu F.; Xavier-de-Souza, Samuel; Silveira, Luiz F. (May 2021).
"Improving Energy Efficiency on SDN Control-Plane Using Multi-Core Controllers“.
 [2] "SDN Architecture Overview“. Opennetworking.org. November 2014.
 [3] McKeown, Nick; et al. (April 2008). "OpenFlow: Enabling innovation in campus
networks".
ACM
SIGCOMM
Computer
Communication
Review.
doi:10.1145/1355734.1355746. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
 [4] Serries, William (12 September 2016). "SD-LAN et SD-WAN : Deux Approches
Différentes pour le Software Defined Networking". ZDNet. Retrieved 1 November
2016.
 [5] Kerravala, Zeus (13 September 2016). "Aerohive Introduces the Softwaredefined LAN". Network World. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
Mohamed A. Abdelhamid
2022