Software-defined networking (SDN) is making big waves in the telecom networking spaces. Like any budding technology, SDN will take time to develop. Nevertheless, SDN applications are being deployed by major service providers including Amazon, Cisco, Facebook, Microsoft and NTT, to name just a few.

What is SDN?

SDN is a flexible architecture that provides central control to a network using application program interfaces (APIs). The platform consists of three successive layers: an infrastructure layer, a control layer and an application layer, all of which are open. An SDN controller heads operations, relaying information to systems and routers using APIs.

SDN offers several advantages for service providers. The centralization of the forwarding information base (FIB) can calculate optimal routes for traffic flows carried by inexpensive switches across the network. In addition, IT managers can test run several network configurations without altering the actual network.

Despite the clear benefits of SDN, many businesses have yet to embrace it. The installation process requires companies to change their network, retrain staff and learn new management tools, which takes time and money. Some of the first SDN deployments include NTT Com’s SD-WAN, Microsoft’s virtual machine manager and Tribune Media’s VMware NSX.

NTT Com’s SD-WAN

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) recently debuted its software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) Service Platform, which covers more than 190 countries. SDN and SD-WAN are closely related as both are software-defined. SDN is an architecture, whereas SD-WAN is a purchasable technology based on that architecture.

SD-WAN’s architecture is locally dispersed across the globe on more than 75 local cloud centers. NTT SD-WAN real-time streaming sheds light on application performance, network security and customer experience. NTT Com intends to use SD-WAN to scale operations and bring new services to the market swiftly.

Microsoft’s virtual machine manager

Microsoft’s virtual machine manager (VMM) can deploy and manage software-defined infrastructure. It is used to configure conventional data centers and provide a unified management experience. Among its competencies, VMM provides virtualized hosts, network and library resources, and allocated storage.

When SDN is woven into the VMM tapestry, users are able to perform a variety of tasks. These include overseeing the infrastructure, like network controllers, software load balances and gateways; defining and managing virtual network policies; and directing traffic flows between virtual networks. Furthermore, it integrates numerous technologies, such as the network controller, RAS gateway and software load balancing.

VMware NSX

Tribune Media had arguably the biggest SDN deployment using VMware NSX, which transferred more than 141 applications to an SDN infrastructure over five months. Tribune Media cut ties with the rest of the Tribune Company in 2012. As a result, the company had to replace its IT infrastructure and applications. Consequently, Tribune Media chose VMware SDDC as the foundation for its IT infrastructure.

VMware NSX is a virtual networking and security software for the Software Defined Data Center (SDDC), which provides cloud computing on VMware network technologies. NSX uses a network hypervisor to distribute network functions, such as switches, routers and firewalls, across the environment. Tribune Media picked VMware’s NSX for its agility, flexibility and security.

The forefront of tech innovation

There are many approaches to SDN. Although still under development, major service providers are adopting the technology. Serving as the fuel for tech network innovations, SDN promises to reduce operating costs and provide more granular security.