SDN and IBN Cost Reduction Report

This report investigates the cost-saving potential of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN) in a hypothetical organization upgrading its IT infrastructure. It details the organization's current setup, outlining the costs associated with new PCs, licenses, servers, and network devices. The report then introduces SDN and IBN, explaining their architectures and functionalities. A key focus is the integration of SDN and IBN with virtualization to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The report compares SDN/IBN with traditional network architectures, highlighting the advantages of SDN/IBN in terms of automation, flexibility, and security. It also discusses the challenges of deploying SDN in large organizations. Finally, the report concludes by summarizing the cost-saving benefits of adopting SDN/IBN and virtualization, emphasizing the potential for significant reductions in hardware, software, and labor costs. The report includes several references to support its findings.

ABSTRACT
SDN (Software defined network) and IBN (Intent based network) both will help to design the
network that will automatically monitor the network as well as administrated task. Combining
both software-defined network and intent-based network on virtualization and cloud computing
will provide a cost-effective network, high performance, managing the network assets and high
security on network. This report has the details about the Software Defined Network, relation
between SDN and virtualization, and how this SDN will reduce the cost and time of the existing
system.
INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Organization currently has nearly 2000 desktop computer with Microsoft Windows operating
system and wants to change them into Dell Optiplex series with Intel Core i5 processor on
Windows 10 operating system, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and 256GB of ROM. Each users on the
organization can access on their company network by using VPN software so they can access
using their phones and iPads. Rough estimate for their entire work will be as follows.
S.No Items Cost
1 PC each $1250.00 2000*1250 $2500000.00
2 License $150.00(Office) 2000*150 $300000.00
3 Database with server (10) $2159.00 10*2159.00 $21580.00
4 Server (20) $ 3000.00 20*3000 $60000.00
5 Network device total cost $3000000.00 $750000.00 (Yearly)
6 Security hardware and software $2000000.00 (Yearly)
Total cost $5631580.00
INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK
Software-defined networking is a method for developing network architecture that will allow the
network to control centrally by using programmed software application. This helps to manage
and operates the network effectively. This provides an effective network architecture by
providing automated, on-demand application transfer and flexibility at scale.
Business Application
API

Application Layer
Control Layer
SDN
Control
Software
Infrastructure Layer
SDN Architecture
Directly programmable
All the network control is directly programmable as it is decoupled from forwarding functions.
Agile
All the controls are shortly abstracted so that by forwarding this can help to dynamically monitor
the administrator task to adjust the traffic flow on the network in order to meet the changing
needs.
Centrally managed
The centralized based software SDN (Software defined network) controls and maintains the
overall view of the network.
Programmatically configured
SDN allows the managers on the network to configure, manage, secure and optimize the network
resources rapidly dynamically using automated SDN software.
Open source
Open standards-based implementation on Software Defined Network will simplify the design
and operation on the network but the instructions delivered by SDN will control rather than
multiple, protocols and vendor specific.
INTRODUCTION TO INTENT BASED NETWORK
Network Service
Network Device

Intent-based network is a network software that helps to plan, create, design and deploy
on the network to enhance the network accessibility and quickness. This will monitor an
administrative task automatically among the network. This provides a self-managing network.
Intent-based network has four key things
Translation and Validation
The framework takes a larger amount business approach (what) as a contribution from
end clients and believers it to the fundamental system design (how). The framework at that point
produces and approves the subsequent outline and design for accuracy.
Robotized Implementation
The framework can arrange the proper system changes (how) crosswise over existing
system foundation. This is regularly done by means of system computerization as well as system
coordination.
Consciousness of Network State
The framework ingests constant system status for frameworks under its regulatory control and is
convention and transport-rationalist.
Confirmation and Dynamic Optimization/Remediation
The framework persistently approves (continuously / streamlined) that the first business
goal of the framework is being met, and can take restorative activities, for example, blocking
movement, adjusting system limit or telling when the wanted aim isn't met.
Intent How
VIRTUALIZATION ON DESKTOP
Network
Orchestration
Machine
Learning

Virtualization is a service that provides an access to use desktop from backend infrastructure to
the front as this will provide the access to thin or small clients to use their desktop thus will
reduce the cost and time.
For connecting virtualization on the desktop a client has to make their connection with a broker
who act as a middleware to manage the request from the client and make a connection to the
available desktop (virtual system). Desktop virtualization is not a server-based computing as it
does not support an equal range of accessing hardware as desktop virtualization.
PROS AND CONS OF VIRTUALIZATION ON DESKTOP
Pros of virtualization on the desktop
 Work as sandbox
 Independent in accessing hardware, Operating system
 Quick recovery
 Easy and streamline backup
 Transfer data easily
 Reduce the access to hardware
 Simultaneously run on different and multiple operating systems
 Less cost and time consuming
 High Security
Cons of virtualization on the desktop
 Minimum efficient
 Not a stable performance
 The latency of virtual disk
 Some security issues
 Compatibility issue
RELATION BETWEEN SDN AND IBN
It has been many years ago Software Define Network is used for administrating the
network. It has many advantages in its applications. In general, it is used for managing,
monitoring helps during the breakdown of networks without the need for hardware, routers,
switches and other physical devices. These networks are not often available with the network

functions but they can be found in virtualization technology. Both SDN and the virtualization
technology are related to each other with different goals. They help to enable the network
managers and the administrator to customize and configure the network functions and their
devices and to enable the virtualization technology related to the cloud virtual machines. This
method is considered as a successful method for monitoring and administrating the network
among many organizations. Though it has many advantages in this method it also has some
disadvantages. The main issue with this method is its complexity. Over past years this is only
technology which is widely used by the organizations to improve their network administration.
So people found this installation is complex. But the solution for the software-defined network is
cheaper. So there is no problem with the cost of installation. For a smaller business, it will be
tough to support the financial cost.
When comparing SDN with IBN, IBN is new to the networking environment but the
goals of IBN and SDN are same. IBN focuses more on design, implementation, agility and
network availability and less on virtualization. IBN can be merged using four elements namely
translation and validation, implementation, network awareness, dynamic remediation. These
elements are used for getting the inputs from the users and configuring the network design.
Based on the intent of using the network designs are validated, configured and check the network
until it requires any changes to be done. The greatest advantage in intent-based networking is its
portability and vendor nature. It means that if the application is developed for one SDN it can be
used by the other SDN environment without making any changes in the existing environment.
This can be applied to the SDN controllers. It helps to avoid or decrease the many applications
that send a command to the SDN controller and it improves flexibility. IBN and SDN are
combined to improve the intelligence and SDN controller’s helps to control the commands and
its infrastructure. Both SDN and IBN offers equal advantages. But SDN was over several years
and IBN is new to the environment. Cisco has started to provide the infrastructure using IBN.
Other standard organizations should be aware of the standards-based SDN controllers.
Organizations like IT will face some challenging issue with the data center, network or WAN,
open source code and physical networks.
SDN AND IBN COST REDUCTION

To reduce the cost of the SDN we can use the virtualization concept. In the olden time,
the server hardware which is physically present will be the responsible for the software running
performance. Due to the improvement of the technology, the server is now capable of
virtualization technology. We can create a more virtual machine that is capable of running the
software.
We keep on improving to minimize the latency gap between the server and the client but these
concepts will require fewer resources and faster loading time inside the network.
The SDN concept reduces the cost by giving the resources at the fraction of a cost. For example,
consider we are going to buy a switch and router for setting our network. The switch and the
router are going to forward the packets. The cost of buying the actual hardware and finding a
suitable place for the hardware is tough. If there is need of technological upgradation then we
need to go and buy the hardware but with SDN we just need the software which is upgradable
and easily removable from the current working environment and can be shifted to a different
server.in case of the server migration
The primary goal of SDN is to reduce the manual work which may be needed by the
administrator. Through the concept of SDN, there are several ways to reduce the cost through
automation and configuration of the network correctly so that there will not bottleneck in the
network which will lead to the latency. Hardware cost in a data center may be 10 per cent but the
labour cost for maintaining the servers at the peak operating speed will cost half of the total cost
of ownership’s revenue.
The best way to use the indent based networking by giving the customer high availability of the
network and the agility of the network will be responsible for the network performance. In order
to increase the efficiency and reducing the cost, we need to find the point where the IBN is
working in a stable state with low usage of resources. In that point, it will be the great role for
testing out the validation and the translation of the network. We should be aware of the network
no network is 100 per cent efficiency. If the network is going to have a bottleneck and that is
found earlier we can redirect the traffic instead of auto-scaling the resources which uses more
energy and the power. In IBN– the system are to be monitored continuously in real time for the
different requirement because each business setup will be different to each other. If a company
focuses on the availability another company may be concentrating on accuracy. If the intent is

not giving the optimized solution or the expected solution we can change the way of the
architecture for suiting the best of the networking needs.
The overall cost for implementing the SDN in this organization is around $5631580.00. Among
this, the cost for new PC, buying a license, on the server and maintaining cost can be minimized
or can also be reduced to half by using SDN on virtualization. By using SDN on virtualization
will give a proper infrastructure that can manage the network by controlling all its events. New
purchase of each PC cost will be reduced to more than half when utilizing the virtual system
(desktop) as the broker amount is less compared to a new purchase. All these access for
application on the desktop requires a cost that one can pay during the broker connection during
virtualization as they will act as a middleware to get a request and to pair that request to the
available desktop to perform its task.
By doing network infrastructure using SDN time and cost can be reduced as well as the network
flexibility, performance and optimistic network can be achieved.
SDN/IBN DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL DEPLOYED ARCHITECTURE
Today, business and specialized system (network system) prerequisites incorporate
improving execution and figuring it out more extensive availability. Organizations need to meet
increasingly industry-particular security controls further there is a developing interest for
versatility. So as to consent to these criteria, organizing protocol for network designing that
should have a fundamentally deployed significantly and finished the most recent couple of
decades. In any case, the way customary systems are set up, sending one convention to
understand these requirements association wide is a remarkable test.
TRADITIONAL NETWORK CONFIGURATION
The conventional way to deal with systems administration on traditional method is described by
two primary factors
1) Network functionality is predominantly actualized in a committed application or machine. For
this situation, 'dedicated appliance' alludes to one or multiple switches, routers and additionally
application conveyance controllers.

2) Most of the functionality in inside on this appliance is executed in devoted equipment. An
Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) is regularly utilized.
The organization is progressively stood up to with the confinements that go with this equipment
driven approach or hardware-centric method.
For example,
1. Traditional design is tedious with time-consuming and blunder inclined
Numerous steps are required when an IT head or IT admin needs to include or evacuate a
single device in a traditional system network. In the first place, an IT head or IT admin should
physically design different device (switches, switches, firewalls) on device-by-device or
equipment-by-equipment bases.
The following step is utilizing device level administration apparatuses to refresh and update
various design and configuration settings, for example, ACLs, VLANs and Quality of Service.
This arrangement approach makes it substantially more mind-boggling for an overseer to convey
and install a steady arrangement of strategies. Thus, associations will probably experience
security ruptures, rebelliousness with suggestions.
Gateway
Switch Switch
AP -- Access
point

2. Multi-vendor conditions require an abnormal state of ability
The normal association claims an assortment of hardware of various dealers. To
effectively set up its complete configuration, a manager or an administrator will subsequently
require broad information of all present device and tool types.
3. Traditional structures confuse organize division
An improvement additionally confusing systems administration matters is the network
development that is as of now occurring in this organization as changing for the system to/with
other is quite confusing.
Although tablets, PCs and cell phones, different gadgets, as an alert frameworks system
and surveillance cameras will before long be connected to the internet. The anticipated and
predicted blast of the device is a new challenge that joined with an organization: how to
consolidate every one of this device of various sellers inside their network system in a safe and
organized way.
Numerous network systems on traditional way put a wide range of device in an
equivalent 'zone'. If there should be an occurrence of a traded off device this outline dangers
giving outside gatherings access to the whole system. This can be programmers abusing the web
association of savvy device or dealers who can remotely sign onto 'their' device. In the above
cases, there is no an understandable reason behind giving them access to all network components
parts in its whole system. The 'authoritative issue' depicted prior makes a proper network
arrangement division on a complex process and rapidly prompts organize the mess.
SOFTWARE DEFINED NETWORK
To defeat the above limitation on the traditional method for changing the system and
configuration of the system needs an additional procedure to point out this view during the
design and development phase. Software-defined network will be another approach for designing
the whole network.

Decoupling hardware from software is concerned as network planes from a two network device
will have a different work as one will act as a control plane and another as a data plane.
 Control plane will control the traffic and also decide the route.
 Data plane will forward the traffic to the desired target.
By doing this software and hardware layer works can interchange as during decoupling the data
plane moves to hardware in network system whereas the control plane will move to the software
layer. This will reduce the execution on hardware as policies do not have to execute along
hardware where all this can be controlled and concerned with SDN, which is a centralized
application that achieves virtualization whereas traditional methods use a hardware-centric
approach for traffic.
SDN configuration
SDN controller will automatically control and secure the network system. This is the main
advantages of using SDN configuration.
SDN Controller
Gateway
Switch Switch
Access point

Integration, Visibility and reporting, Device visibility, events and alerts, and traffic reporting are
the things that SDN will provide to the network administrator that will help them to configure
network error-free with less time-consuming.
Also, an SDN network solution should concern the network security by providing high-quality
filters, how to isolate a particular component from another and type of security authentication
used. Zoning is used as to differentiate or separate from devices and thus provides the additional
layer to protect the whole network system. This helps to protect the network, even though if one
hack the isolated devices they would not get a complete access.
Login authentication with the password will secure from the leak.
It will protect the threat by blocking from the network.
An authorized component has an access to the network using its MAC address so unauthorized
access is not possible.
CONCLUSION
As SDN uses automation for network flow to control them one can save the time and can
enhance the flexibility on the network. Investment in deploying SDN on existing will change
depends on the business needs to check what the requirements are for improving the network
infrastructure that an organization need.
Advantages of SDN over the traditional method
 Accuracy
 Consistency
 Flexibility
 Data flow Optimization
The traditional method uses a manual method to execute configuration by device-by-device
access. But in SDN as it uses an automation to control the whole network by increasing the
accuracy and consistency of the network.
SDN will use different paths to travel the data from the source to the target system so the
network performance and the scalability of the network are enhanced. This provides the
optimized network.

Disadvantages or cons of traditional methods and SDN
Traditional method uses a device-by-device access which consumes too much time and cost.
Traditional methods use more of its execution using hardware-centric.
Challenges during deployment of SDN
Deploying SDN with giant companies will be a difficult one as companies will not support to
provide their consumers to act as they required. This is because top network companies will not
like their devices to act and control from SDN as they want both support and access to their
system as well. So on deploying SDN, an organization has to select and prefer a company that
provides support to access router or switches.