Software Defined Networking and Intent-Based Networking White Paper

This white paper explores the concepts of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN), explaining them in layman's terms and highlighting their benefits for an organization. It discusses how these technologies, when combined with virtualization and cloud computing, can revolutionize network architecture, leading to reduced costs, improved efficiency, and better management of network assets and security. The paper compares traditional network architectures with SDN/IBN architectures, outlining the pros and cons of each. It also details how implementing these technologies can reduce costs within a sample organizational IT environment, including a proposed desktop and server upgrade, software licensing costs, and network security expenses. Assumptions are made regarding the organization's IT environment, including the number of IT professionals and their associated costs, to provide a comprehensive cost analysis and implementation strategy. The white paper aims to convince the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) that SDN and IBN are not marketing fads but powerful tools for organizational transformation.

Instructions
Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN)
offer an ability to revolutionize the modern network architecture. Both
concepts are relatively new and your Chief Technology Officer (CTO) has
only heard them in passing. In fact, she pawned them off as the new
“marketing fad” dressed up as a new concept. As you have researched
both technologies, you understand this is not a fad. When used in
combination with virtualization and cloud computing, you know this could
revolutionize how the organization operates. Providing for reduced costs,
efficiency, better management of the network assets, and security.
However, you need to develop a white paper for the CTO to highlight these
benefits. Given she has only heard the term in passing, you must describe
the SDN and IBN concepts, their benefits, and what it would take for the
organization to implement. You decide to form a group and tackle this
opportunity together. As a group, you will complete a white paper that
includes the following sections and information:
>An introduction to Software Defined Networking (SDN).
*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in
layman terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
>An introduction to Intent-Based Networking (IBN) - discussed in Week 4.
*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in
layman terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
>Discussion on how virtualizing the desktop and now backend
infrastructure are complementary and related.
*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in
layman terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
>Discussion of how SDN and IBN are related.

*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in
layman terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
>Describe how applying these technologies would reduce cost of the
current organizational IT environment, including the proposed upgrade
from Week1 (details below).
*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in
layman terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
>Describe how an SDN/IBN architecture would look different than network
architectures we have traditionally deployed. Compare and contrast the
network architectures and discuss the pros and cons of each.
*Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman
terms.
*Use visuals where appropriate.
Additional Details:
>The organization currently maintains 2,000 Microsoft Windows desktop
computers for the workforce. As you recall, these desktop computers were
about to be refreshed. The organization is currently considering the Dell
Optiplex series. Specifically, each computer would have a Intel Core i5
processor, run Microsoft Windows 10, contain 8GB DDR4 RAM, and have a
256GB solid state drive. The rough estimate for each PC is $1,250.00,
which equates to a $2,500,000.00 upgrade cost to the organization.
>Microsoft Office runs on each of these computers. The license fee for
each computer is $150.00, which equates to a $300,000.00. The
organization typically upgrades all PC’s with the latest version of Microsoft
Office when it is released.
>The organization used multiples instances of Oracle Database. These
databases are distributed across 10 Dell PowerEdge Servers. These servers
cost a minimum of $2,159.00 each, for a total cost of $21,580.00.

>The organization maintains an additional 20 Dell PowerEdge Servers for a
variety of reasons to include email, file backup, remote access, etc. The
total cost to refresh each of these servers is $3,000.00, for total cost of
$60,000.00.
>The organization maintains various networking devices. The total cost of
this equipment is $3,000,000.00, and yearly refresh costs are $750,000.00.
>The organization maintains a suite of network security hardware and
software solutions. They include a DMZ configuration, multiple firewalls,
VPN hardware, antivirus solutions, intrusion detection and protection
devices, and log management solutions. The total yearly hardware and
software costs for the organization cybersecurity efforts are $2,000,000.00.
>The organization also allows users to access the network via their
company issued Android phones, or iPads. Each employee receives a
mobile device with VPN software installed so that they may remotely
access company systems when they are at home, or traveling.
>Because this is a notional example and assignment, each group may
make further assumptions about the organization IT environment. There is
no need to ask your Instructor for permission. Simply make explicit your
assumptions in the white paper. For example, you are free to assume the
number of IT professionals, their specialties, and more importantly the cost
to run the IT department.