What is Software Defined Networking in IOT | SDN in IOT

 Overview of Traditional Network

Traditional network is totally based on Routers which routes the packet from source to destination by using routing protocols like OSPF,EIGRP etc. Every router is maintaining routing table which holds the information about the neighbour networks; by using that information they will forward the packet from source to destination. Router is intelligent internetworking device which decide which path has to be adopted by using routing protocols. Every router is getting the information about neighbour networks by incremental updates. In simple word router is composed of two plane

1.  Control Plane
2. Data forwarding plane

Limitations in Current Network

Switches with vendor-specific architecture prevent dynamic configuration based on application-specific requirements. Switches must be configured in accordance with the installed operating system (OS). In a typical network, centralised control is not possible.

What is Software Defined Networking in IOT

In software defined networks , router will have only Data forwarding plane and all the tasks of control plane is done by SDN controller and router will act as switch only.Before forwarding any packet / information permission is taken from SDN Controller which provides centralized location.SDN controller contains all the information about connected router and that information is very useful to forward the packet from source to destination.

SDN is centralized structure for the network that can communicate and command the rest of the network.With growing technology of cloud computing (Server side), SDN controller helps in monitoring and controlling the entire network at client side.Processing will be fast.SDN Controller decides where to forward our packet.No need to buy powerful routers for making routing decisions. Security is more as compared to traditional networks. SDN (Software-Defined Networking) is a network architectural method that allows networks to be intelligently and centrally managed, or'programmed,' using software applications. Regardless of the underlying network technology, this allows operators to manage the whole network uniformly and comprehensively. A variety of conflicting pressures surround enterprises, carriers, and service providers. Traditional business models are being disrupted by the massive development in multimedia content,the explosion of cloud computing, the impact of growing mobile usage, and continued commercial pressures to cut costs while revenues remain static. Many of these firms are turning to SDN technology to change network design and operations in order to keep up with the competition.

SDN allows software applications to programme network behaviour in a centrally controlled manner utilising open APIs. Operators can manage the entire network and its devices uniformly regardless of the complexity of the underlying network technology by opening up formerly closed network platforms and creating a standard SDN control layer.Separate control logic from hardware switches

⮚       Define the control logic in a centralized manner

⮚       Control the entire network including individual switches

⮚       Communication between the application, control, and data planes are done through APIs

⮚       Companies such as Google have started to implement SDN at their data center networks.

⮚       It is required to change the current network with SDN in a phased manner.

⮚       Operational cost and delay caused due to link failure can be significantly minimized.

SDN Networking Architecture:

Data Plane,Control Plane and Application plane in SDN

 SDN Controller: 

In SDN architecture, it acted like a mind. It communicates with enterprise routers such as Cisco and Juniper using Open Flow Protocol. As a standard protocol, the Open Flow protocol is used. South-Bound Interfaces are the interfaces of SDN controllers that connect with network devices (Routers). North-Bound Interfaces are the interfaces of SDN controllers that connect with applications.

Benefits of Integrating SDN in IoT

⮚       Intelligent routing decisions can be deployed using SDN

⮚       Simplification of information collection, analysis and decision making

⮚       Visibility of network resources – network management is simplified based on user, device and application-specific requirements (centralized management)

⮚       Agile network i.e. respond to query very quickly

⮚       Cost efficiency

⮚       Security