ECT631: Implementation of Software Defined Networking Report

This report explores the implementation of Software Defined Networking (SDN) in network system administration, addressing the challenges of traditional networking. It examines SDN's architecture, including its control, data, and application planes, and highlights its benefits such as centralized management, improved security, and cost reduction. The report utilizes a qualitative research method, analyzing SDN's features, policies, and tools. It discusses the role of SDN controllers, high-level policies, and applications like network virtualization and NFV. The findings demonstrate SDN's capability to resolve network issues, offering flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. The report concludes that SDN is a crucial technology for modern network management, providing solutions to complex IT projects, resource allocation, and network security challenges. The study analyzes the main issues that impact the network such as troubleshooting network issues, supporting complicated IT projects, decreasing the spending of WAN, challenges in enforcing suitable usage of network and ensuring resources for the key applications. The report also includes an overview of SDN's architecture, benefits, and a table of software tools used in SDN implementation.

Running head: Implementation of Software Defined Networking 1
Implementation of Software Defined Networking

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 2
Table of Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................................3
Implementation of Software Defined Networking..............................................................4
Literature Review................................................................................................................5
Methodology........................................................................................................................6
Analysis and Findings........................................................................................................10
Conclusions........................................................................................................................13
References..........................................................................................................................14
Appendix............................................................................................................................17

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 3
Abstract
On an industrial scale, managing the network machines is a terrifying job. There exist
certain large, expensive and specialized kits which leads to enterprise problems. Moreover, the
life of a network administrator resolves the pain of a continuous series of perplexity, effectively
working, configuring, upgrading and replacing. Network administration is a highly expensive
business for both the enterprises and carriers. This shows that the network system administrators
face a problem in troubleshooting the network problems and effective use of network. SDN
(Software-defined networking) refers to a new technology which is bussing in market as a next-
generation technique for simplifying networking. All the manufacturers of network machines
have developed highly complex and incompatible systems. Without questioning the vendors, the
enterprises stick to one supplier like Cisco. The traditional maintenance processes of the IT
infrastructure are advancing. SDN is a technique that is offering programmability for the network
application development, where it utilizes software applications. And it helps to control the
network smartly. This research paper concentrates on the problem of network administration like,
what is SDN, why is it needed, what are its policies, what tools it uses, and how it resolves the
network system administration problem. This research uses qualitative research method for
fining the appropriate results. The research findings show the architecture of SDN, including its
benefits and needs. It concludes that SDN has the capability of resolving the problems faced in
networking.
Keywords: Network, SDN, Policies, Network System Administrator, Tools

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 4
Implementation of Software Defined Networking
In this technology-oriented world, there is a drastic change in the information and
communication technology, and it is changing the way the businesses work (Cascio &
Montealegre, 2016). Today’s organizations have complicated technology parts which are hard to
be managed, this demands for a consistent network system management to resolve the
nightmares of the network administrators. This proves that the network system administrator
faces a problem in troubleshooting the network problems and effective use of network. SDN
(Software Defined Networking), refers to a computer network which is applied, managed and
created by a software. In other words, it can be considered as a technology which applies
computer network’s functionality by a particular software, for instance, OPEN-FLOW. In
networking, SDN is an approach which requires least physical components for facilitating the
organization’s network requirement (Theophilus, 2017). This research paper presents the
important role the SDN can play in network system administration. The SDN handles network
troubleshooting and offers on-demand provisioning, streamlined physical infrastructure,
automatic load balancing, and scaling of network resources (Marschke et al., 2015). Literature
Review section provides a brief understanding about the role of SDN in network system
administration, its role, policies and issues. The methodology section gives a brief about the
research method used for this research work. Further, the Analysis and Finding will be
represented. .
Literature Review
Problems in Traditional Networking
Network administrators struggle to manage the network configuration updates,
replacements for each device on the network, and it is a tiring job to manage a large network.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 5
Problems Solved by SDN
The aim of SDN is to create higher virtual network layer in comparison to the physical networks
SDN ensures network virtualization (Badr, 2017).
According to Shin et al. (2016), SDN uses decoupling of control logic from the closed and
proprietary implementation of traditional network devices, it facilitates high power, flexibility
and ease in using. SDN can have a high impact on the network security and has not yet
recognized by the community of security. However, it is believed that it will soon have enhanced
features that improves network security
As stated by Rana et al. (2019), SDN is needed in network system administration for the
following reasons, because in contrast to SDN, the traditional networking system required
hardware devices such as switch, router, firewall and so on. It requires manual updated
configuration of each device and hub by the IT system administrators. The traditional networking
system declines as the new technologies such as cloud computing and virtualization are available
in the market, which offers centralized data operations, for providing high availability operations
to the end users. But SDN is the solution for all these problems, including the easy management
of the network. Thus, due to its capacity of overcoming the traditional networking’s limitation, it
has gained popularity in the market. Subsequently, as per Aparicio et al. (2017), SDN can even
be used for the optimizing the energy of Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks (MWSN).
Utilization of Policies
As per Polčák et al. (2016), network traffic policies help to handle the defined packet
routes via networks, it enforces necessary quality service, and secure the networks from threats.
The applications of SDN can implement policies depending on high and low-level traffic
identifiers.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 6
Network Security
As per Prabha & Vetrivel (2017), SDN is successfully attracting industries and universities
because of its network security feature, which successfully stops attacks. This is because the
paradigm of SDN introduces the concept of separating data plane and control plane to have flow-
switched networks. It facilitates various methods for network security. Also, SDN offers network
programmability that enables the functions of network security such as firewalls, monitoring
applications assistance via Open flow devices.
According to Yap & Chong (2017), SDN can also resolve the routing issues in mobile IP
because of its dynamic and flexible architecture.
SDN Promises
SDN helps the administrators to change the protocols for more effective results. Additionally, it
promises to ease the pain of a series of perplexities, effective working, configuring, upgrading
and replacing, including flexibility (Hardiman, 2013).
Methodology
This research utilizes the qualitative research method, where the other research’s research
proofs are considered supporting this research. This method helps to obtain the required data via
open-ended questions. This research study demonstrates an explicit and clear understanding of
SDN’s concept and its need.
The following data is collected:
SDN Requirement
As SDN offers centralized control it is needed for the following purposes (Rana et al.,
2019):

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 7
 For increased efficiency (Kumar Sundararajan, 2013).
 To have flexibility.
 It offers a layered architecture comprising of open standard Interface.
SDN Controller
It is a software which handles all the shared resources of a network infrastructure,
including application. It helps to communicate with network devices for retrieving information
about them for building a global information state. It also programs application based policies
and configurations on the devices for controlling their forwarding behaviour.
Figure 1: SDN Controller's Core Functional Modules & interfaces
The above figure illustrates the SDN Controller's Core Functional Modules & interfaces.
The following are the functions of the SDN controller’s core components (Hoang, 2015):

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 8
 Device Manager: It registers to the device listeners for getting notified whenever
there is any addition or removal of device from a network.
 Packet Processing Unit: The packets are handled for various protocols like IPv4,
UDP (User Datagram Protocol), Ethernet, and LLDP (Link Layer Discovery
Protocol), to have functions for creating packets for each protocol which are
handled by the controller.
 Topology Manager: It recognizes the network’s topology changes and allows
maintaining the update of the topology, and also sends updates of the network
application’s topology.
 Routing: Based on protocol, implementation of routes takes place between the
given source and destination addresses, by the routing manager.
 Openflow Implementation: OpenFlow module is present in each controller,
which gives function based Openflow message, action, flow rules, table entry,
statistics, matching of flow rule, and message queues. The controllers assist other
protocols for managing their switch and network as per application.
High Level Policies in SDN
The network administrator has the capacity of defining particular policies for certain individual/
application, thus the administrator is not required for separately mentioning the policies for every
single flow. Therefore, extended SDN is referred as High Level SDN. Custom SDN application
controls the policies based on a controller and network (Polčák et al., 2016).
High level policies permit the following:

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 9
a) For developing application-aware (QoS) quality of service capacity that matches the
business-critical applications’ traffic, for setting its priority higher.
b) For tweaking based on the priorities associated with the person who produces traffic.
c) For clearly reserving the network bandwidth based on the desired traffic rate of flows
produced by a particular application.
d) For deploying the application dependent/identity based dynamic service chain.
High Level SDN hardly needs any particular SDN controller, but it needs extra
information sources.
Applications Featured by SDN
 It can easily handle network management.
 It can enable network virtualization in cloud computing.
 It can embrace NFV (network function virtualisation).
The limitation of this methodology of this methodology is that it has no practical results,
instead the proofs collected by the researchers is used.
The drawback of this methodology of this methodology is that the statistical data cannot
be provided and it can create conclusions that are misleading. And, this problem is compensated
with the in-depth details than considering the count.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 10
Analysis and Findings
The research findings show the architecture of SDN, including its benefits, needs and main
problems it resolves. The significant changes in IT has resulted IT to be network centric. Thus, it
becomes essential to have a network as a crucial strategic asset by the IT and business leaders.
Because any issue which affects the network has a direct effect on the business, and costs time
and money of the organization. Therefore, it is necessary for the businesses to handle the issues
which impact the network. The following list represents some top issues which impacts the
network (Kerravala, 2015):
a) Troubleshooting of network issues.
b) Supporting complicated IT Projects.
c) Decreasing the spending of WAN (Wide Area Network).
d) Challenges in enforcing suitable usage of network.
e) Ensuring resources for the key applications.
The following figure depicts the architecture of SDN:

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Figure 2: Architecture of SDN (Hoang, 2015)
The above architecture illustrates the working of SDN in different levels, including its
maintenance of reliability and software security. It has 3 main layers, namely Control plane, Data
plane and the Application plane. The following are the common elements of SDN (Hoang,
2015):
 SDN devices: It comprises components which decide what has to be done when there is
an incoming traffic of frames/packets.
 SDN controller: It programs the network devices and gives underlying network
infrastructure’s abstraction to SDN application.
 Applications: For satisfying the needs of the network devices, the controller permits
SDN application for defining the traffic flows as well as paths, based on the packets’
characteristics and responds to the user’s dynamic requirements and conditions of traffic.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 12
From the analysis the following SDN benefits are identified:
a) SDN offers future ready infrastructure, which ensures speed, flexibility and scalability.
b) It decreases the cost spent on hardware, and it removes the manual support requirement
and offers network efficiency.
c) SDN facilitates centralized network management, which eases management and security
of the network.
The following table tabulates the SDN utilized software tools (Rana et al., 2019):
Software Tool type Work Description
ONIX SDN initiatives forming platform It offers flexibility in computer
network management for a
distributed system.
MININET Virtual emulator
Routeflow Routing architecture It gives links between the
source and commercial
product.
VERIFLOW Networking debugging tool It identifies the flaws in SDN.
Nettle Function reactive programming Facilitates management of
network and assists event-
driven networking.
Frenetic High level language for programming It uses SQL based Stream

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 13
open flow architecture. Processing and specification
language.
Conclusions
This research paper studies about the role of SDN technology in network system administration.
It is understood that managing a network is not easy and the network administrators come across
complicated situations such as resolving the network issues, configuration, upgrading and
replacing the technology. This research paper successfully answers about SDN, its role, needs,
benefits, policies and problem solving capacity. The identified features of SDN includes network
management, network Virtualisation for Cloud Computing, and Network Function Virtualisation.
The qualitative research method is utilized for this study. The research findings shows the
benefits of using SDN, which can resolve the networking system administrators. It concludes
that SDN has the capacity of increasing the efficiency of the network. It is believed that SDN can
become highly impactful technology for driving different network security innovations.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 14
References
Aparicio, J., Jose Echevarria, J., & Legarda, J. (2017). A Software Defined
Networking Approach to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Mobile Wireless
Sensor Networks. KSII Transactions On Internet And Information Systems, 11(6).
https://doi.org/10.3837/tiis.2017.06.003
Badr, A. (2017). SDN is the Future of IT Networking. Gocertify.com. Retrieved 13
April 2020, from http://www.gocertify.com/articles/sdn-is-the-future-of-it-
networking.
Cascio, W., & Montealegre, R. (2016). How Technology Is Changing Work and
Organizations. Annual Review Of Organizational Psychology And Organizational
Behavior, 3(1), 349-375. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-041015-
062352
Hardiman, N. (2013). What SDN means to the network administrator. TechRepublic.
Retrieved 13 April 2020, from
https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/data-center/what-sdn-means-to-the-network-
administrator/.
Hoang, D. (2015). Software Defined Networking – Shaping up for the next disruptive
step?. Journal Of Telecommunications And The Digital Economy, 3(4), 48-62.
https://doi.org/10.18080/jtde.v3n4.28

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 15
Kerravala, Z. (2015). The Top Five Network Problems Solved by SDNs.
WANSpeak™. Retrieved 13 April 2020, from https://blog.silver-peak.com/the-
top-five-network-problems-solved-by-sdn.
Kumar Sundararajan, R. (2013). Software-defined networking (SDN). Mind
Commerce Publishing, LLC.
Marschke, D., Doyle, J., & Moyer, P. (2015). Software defined networking (SDN).
Lulu.
Polčák, L., Caldarola, L., Choukir, A., & Cuda, D. (2016). High Level Policies in
SDN. International Conference On E-Business And Telecommunications, 10-52.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30222-5_2
Prabha, R., & Vetrivel, D. (2017). The Scenario of Enhancing Network Security
Through Software Defined Networking (SDN). International Journal Of
Advanced Research In Computer Science & Technology, 5(1), 158-160. Retrieved
13 April 2020, from.
Rana, D., Dhondiyal, S., & Chamoli, S. (2019). Software Defined Networking (SDN)
Challenges, issues and Solution. International Journal Of Computer Sciences And
Engineering, 7(1), 884-889. https://doi.org/10.26438/ijcse/v7i1.884889

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 16
Shin, S., Xu, L., Hong, S., & Gu, G. (2016). Enhancing Network Security through
Software Defined Networking (SDN). ICCCN.
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCCN.2016.7568520
Theophilus. (2017). What is Software-Defined Networking (SDN)?. Ciena.com.
Retrieved 13 April 2020, from https://www.ciena.com/insights/what-is/What-Is-
SDN.html.
Yap, K., & Chong, Y. (2017). Software-Defined Networking Techniques to Improve
Mobile Network Connectivity: Technical Review. IETE Technical Review, 35(3),
292-304. https://doi.org/10.1080/02564602.2017.1293569

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 17
Appendix
Firewall Implementation with SDN
OpenFlow Controller
OpenFlow refers to a standardized protocol. It helps to define the communication between a
controller and the OpenFlow switch. Transport Layer Security (TLS) connection, a secure
channel is used for transmitting the communication messages over TCP. The packet forwarding
behaviour of switch is defined by the controller via exchange of packets and commands, and the
switch continues performing forwarding of packets and reports the status of its configuration,
including its traffic conditions.

Implementation of Software Defined Networking 18
High Level SDN controller internals