Previously, we described how SDN could reduce a telecom's operational and infrastructure costs while maximizing its service uptime. In the second and final installment of this series, we'll dive deeper into the performance-related advantages to implementing the technology. Rounding out the top five software-defined networking benefits are:
3. Much-improved content delivery – At the end of the day, telecom customers will ultimately judge their carriers by two core criteria: cost and performance. The cost savings highlighted in the previous entry enable organizations to offer more competitive pricing plans to their clients. SDN goes beyond presenting lower TCO to allow for better content delivery. As InformationWeek contributor Bill Kleyman explained, network operators can utilize SDN to improve the performance and responsiveness of the network, leading to higher quality and more reliable content delivery.
This feature will become more important as customers continue to view their smartphones and tablets as multifunctional tools. The added strain placed on telecom networks due to users steaming or downloading media through their devices will need be addressed. SDN effectively allows carriers to improve upon their network's existing capabilities.
4. Scalability – When most carriers want to add a new service to their menu of offerings, the amount of work and preparation needed to do so can be arduous. One of the most useful software-defined networking benefits is the ability to provision new services with relative ease. According to a June 2013 study released by InformationWeek, the opportunity to speed up service delivery was the most-often cited application for SDN.
This feature will be extremely valuable to carriers that want to distinguish themselves from the competition. For instance, they could offer high-priority clients the option of adding new services and features on an as-needed basis, resulting in a much more flexible and customizable package. The ability to dynamically build out network capabilities will also enable telecoms to expand their services and upgrade customers' delivery plans quickly, easily and – most importantly – cost-effectively.
5. Simple network management – A major aspect of SDN is the placement of network monitoring and managing processes into a central location. From this better vantage point, network operators can view the entire environment and spot traffic trends as they develop. This enhanced level of visibility enables carriers to better manage and allocate their assets as needed. For example, if a certain portion of the network is experiencing unusually high usage, resources can be temporarily diverted from underused connections to better meet demand. By centralizing the network, telecoms can offer better service and responsiveness.
