Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) offers ways to design build and manage dynamic, cost-effective and adaptable networks, making it ideal for the high - bandwidth, dynamic nature of the applications.

The basic concept of SDN is to separate control & data plane, centralization of control and programmability of network.

Why SDN?

·         Networks are hard to manage and evolve

·         Computation and storage have been virtualized

·         Creating a more flexible and manageable infrastructure

·         Ongoing innovation in systems software.

SDN gives far greater flexibility and efficiency to organizations so they can tailor networking to suit a particular application at any time.

SDN will help the CSP’s to virtualize their packet core technologies, reduce CAPEX & OPEX and usher in service innovation.

Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft and others have invested heavily in Software Defined Networking.

Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) differs from SDN by decoupling the network functions like DNS, Caching etc. from proprietary hardware applications.

NFV is able to support SDN by providing the infrastructure upon which the SDN software can be run.

NFV is applicable to any data plane packet processing and control plane function in mobile and fixed networks.

Benefits of SDN and NFV:

·         Reduced Capex and Opex

·         Delivering Agility and Flexibility

·         Reducing Time to market

Challenges Faced:

While SDN and NFV technologies have the potential to realize the benefits mentioned, there are technical challenges they need to address before realizing the full potential.

Although customer demand for SDN and NFV is high, they also face organizational challenges, lack of skills and a clear business case.

Portability/Interoperability, Management, Automation, Network stability are some of the other challenges faced.

Market Growth

Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Market is forecast to grow at 86% CAGR from $2 Billion in 2015 to USD 45 Billion+ in 2020 NFV represents the lion's share of the combined SDN - NFV market. VC investment in SDN related technologies has grown manifold from $10M in 2007 to $454M in 2012. SDN acquisitions till date are more than $1.5Billion.

Dennis Marcel
Batch 2016
Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management