Course Introduction

19ECE432 – SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORKS

ELECTIVE COURSE- 3 CREDITS
VII SEMESTER ECE & EAC

By
Ms. Priya B K
Asst. Prof.(Sr. Gr.)
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Amrita School of Engineering, Bengaluru,
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India.
Course Objectives:

• To learn about Software Defined Networking (SDN) foundations and

emerging Internet architectural framework

• To explore the SDN concepts, architectures, algorithms, protocols and

applications-related topics including Data Center Networks

• To study and experience Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and

SDN ECO systems
Course Outcomes :

CO1: Able to understand Networking basics and the necessity and genesis
of Software-defined Networking
CO2: Able to understand various SDN Architectures and Network Function
Virtualization
CO3: Able to explore emerging SDN models
CO4: Able to implement simple SDN protocols using a programming
language
 Syllabus:
Unit 1
Networking Basics - Switching, Addressing, Routing - Switching Architecture – Data - Control, -and
Management Planes Forwarding Rules -Autonomous Switches and Routers - Why SDN? - Evolution
of Switches and Control Planes - Cost -Data Center Innovation - Data Center Needs - Genesis of
SDN - Forerunners of SDN - Open Source Contributions.
Unit 2
SDN Architecture - Fundamental Characteristics of SDN – Operation – Devices - SDN Controllers –
Open Daylight and ONOS SDN Applications - Northbound and Southbound APIs - Open Flow -
Switch-Controller Interaction -Flow Table - Packet Matching - Actions and Packet Forwarding -
Extensions and Limitations - Network Function Virtualization (NFV) - SDN vs. NFV – OPNFV -
Inline Network Functions - NFV Orchestration.
Unit 3
Emerging SDN Models - Protocol Models - NETCONF, BGP, MPLS, Controller Models,
Application Models – Proactive Declarative – External - SDN in Datacenters – Multitenancy -
Failure Recovery - SDN in Internet exchange Points (IXPs) - SDN Ecosystem - White-box switching
- Open Sourcing SDN - Open Networking Foundation - Open Daylight – ONOS OpenStack -
OpenSwitch - Programming Assignments for implementing some of the theoretical concepts listed
above.
Textbooks/References:
Text Book(s)

• Goransson P, Black C, Culver T, "Software Defined Networks: A Comprehensive Approaches", l: Elsevier

Science; 2016.

• Gray K, Nadeau TD, Amsterdam Boston Heidelberg, Morgan Kaufmann, "Network Function Virtualization"
2016.

• Nadeau TD, Gray K. SDN: "Software Defined Networks ; [an Authoritative Review of Network
Programmability Technologies]", 1. ed. Beijing: O’Reilly; 2013.

Reference(s)

• Hu F, ed. "Network Innovation through OpenFlow and SDN: Principles and Design". Boca Raton London New
York: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.

• Qi H, Li K. "Software Defined Networking Applications in Distributed Datacenters", Cham: Springer

International Publishing; 2016. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-33135-5.
About the Book and Authors:
Dr. Paul Göransson Nadeau TD, Gray K
CO-PO Mapping:
Course Plan:
Lecture
Topics Key-Contents Objective References CO
No(s)
Unit 1
1-5 Introduction Introduction to SDN, History and To introduce the need for a new Textbook - 1 CO1
Terminology, Modern Data Centers, flexible networking paradigm to (1.1 to 1.6)
Traditional Switch Architecture - Data, overcome the limitations of
Control and Management Planes, Control traditional networking
Protocols for Forwarding Tables
6-11 Why SDN? Evolution of Switches and Control Planes, To understand Textbook - 1 CO1
Cost Considerations, SDN Implications for * How the architecture of (2.1 to 2.5)
Research and Innovation, Data Center switches evolved to meet the
Innovation, Data Center Needs emerging needs
* How the architecture and special
requirements of data centers were
the key drivers for SDN

12-15 Genesis of SDN The Evolution of Networking Technology, To understand how SDN came Textbook - 1 CO2
Forerunners of SDN, Evolution Towards into being and where it is heading (3.1 to 3.7)
SDN, OpenFlow and Open Source
Contributions to SDN, Introduction to
Network Virtualization
Course Plan:
Unit 2
16-21 How SDN Fundamental Characteristics of SDN, SDN To explore the SDN concepts, Textbook - 1 CO3
Works? Operation, SDN Devices, SDN Controller, architectures, algorithms, (4.1 to 4.6.2)
SDN Applications, Alternate SDN Methods protocols and applications

22-25 The OpenFlow Overview, Basics of OpenFlow and To study and understand the Textbook -1 CO3
Specification Limitations current SDN ECO systems (5.1, 5.2, 5.3
and 5.11)
Course Plan:
Unit 3
26-29 Emerging Additional SDN Protocol Models, To study and understand the Textbook - 1 CO4
Protocol, Additional SDN Controller Models, current SDN ECO systems Sections: 7.1
Controller, and Additional Application Models to 7.4
Application
Models
30-31 SDN in SDN application in Datacenters To study and understand the Textbook - 1 CO3
Datacenters application of SDN in Datacenters (8.1 and 8.2)

32-35 Network Definition of NFV, What Can We To study and understand the Textbook - 1 CO2
Function Virtualize?, Standards, OPNFV, SDN vs current SDN ECO systems (10.1 to 10.7,
Virtualization NFV, In-Line Network Functions, NFV 13.10)
(NFV) Orchestration
36-38 SDN Controllers Open Daylight and ONOS, SDN To study and understand the Textbook - 1 CO3
Applications – Northbound and Southbound different SDN controllers (12.7, 13.8)
APIs
39-40 Players in the White box switches, ONF, Opendaylight, To study and understand the Textbook - 1 CO3
SDN eco system ONOS, Openstack, Open Switch, IETF different SDN standard bodies and (11.5 and 11.9)
industry alliances
EVALUATION PATTERN (tentative):
Evaluation pattern: (60:40)

Component Assessment Maximum Marks Weightage

Mid Semester Mid Semester Exam 50 30

End Semester End Semester Exam 100 40
Continous
Quiz1 10 7.5
Assessment
Quiz2 10 7.5

IEEE Paper Presentation on

given topic 15 15
Computer Network Concepts:
 5-layer TCP/IP model or 7-layer OSI model

 Application
 Presentation
 Session
 Transport
 Network
 Data Link
 Physical
Computer Network Concepts:
• Peer to Peer: Skype, WhatsApp
• Client-Server: Email, network printing,
World Wide Web.
• Centralized computing architecture:
Weather forecasting, Payroll processing,
Trajectory calculation, Code breaking,
Inventory management, Hospital patient
record management, Academic research,
Telephone network management.
• Distributed computing architecture:
Video-rendering systems, Scientific
computing, Airline and hotel reservation,
Cryptocurrency processors like Bitcoin, P2P
file-sharing like Bit Torrent, Multiplayer
video games, E-learning applications,
Distributed supply chains like Amazon
• Collaborative computing architecture:
Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Trello
Computer Network Concepts:
Limitation of traditional network architecture:
• Offers minimal flexibility to coordinate between fixed function network devices that must be
configured manually.

• A single change can have a cascading effect on the network performance and has the
potential to bring down the entire network.

• Exploding volumes of data traffic

• Complex network architecture and growing demands to improve network performance

obsoletes the traditional approach to network management.
What is SDN?
• The Open Networking Foundation (ONF) was founded in
2011 to promote SDN and OpenFlow protocol.
• According to ONF, Software Defined Network is defined as
the new networking paradigm that separates the network's
control and data planes.
• The traditional networking architecture has a tightly coupled
relationship between the data and control planes i.e. network
devices such as routers and switches are responsible for
forwarding packets and determining how the network should
operate.
• In SDN, the control plane is decoupled from the data plane
and implemented in software allowing for centralized network
control.
• The control plane, also called the network controller
responsible for making decisions about how traffic should be
forwarded based on the overall network policy.
• The data plane is responsible for forwarding traffic based on
the decisions made by the control plane.
Data Plane:
• Part of a network device responsible for
forwarding data packets from one interface to
another.
• Also referred to as the forwarding plane or the
user plane.
• Operates at the lowest level of the network stack
typically at Layer 2 (the Data Link layer) and
Layer 3 (the Network layer) of the OSI model
• Implemented in network devices such as switches
• Allows for greater flexibility and scalability in
the network
• Can be reprogrammed in real-time to
accommodate changing network conditions.
Control Plane:
• Part of a network device or system that is responsible
for managing and controlling the flow of network
traffic.
• Responsible for making decisions about how packets
are forwarded across the network based on factors such
as network topology, routing protocols and network
policies.
• Operates at Layer 3 (the Network layer) and above in
the OSI model.
• Responsible for routing, switching and traffic
engineering tasks.
• Greater network flexibility and scalability and easier
network management
Difference between SDN and Traditional Networking:
Software Defined Networking Traditional Networking
Virtual networking approach. Old conventional networking approach.
Centralized control. Distributed control.
Programmable. Nonprogrammable.
Open interface. Closed interface.
Data plane and control plane are mounted on the same
Data plane and control plane is decoupled by software.
plane.
SDN Applications:
Improved security
 Data Centers Reduced operational costs
 Wide-area Backbone Networks
 Enterprise Networks A better user experience
 Internet Exchange Points
 Home Networks Easy user onboarding

Easy endpoint security

Easy traffic monitoring

Unifying and simplifying the management plane

Achieving programmability of the control plane

Benefits of SDN:
Top Providers of SDN:
• Cisco One of the world leaders in SDN technology offering solutions for both data center
and network managers

• VMware

• Juniper

• Big Switch Networks

• Versa Networks

• Colt Technology

• Lumina SDN

• IBM
Job Opportunities in SDN: