Presented at InnoTech San Antonio 2014. All rights reserved.

1. Future-proofing Your Data
Center Network
An Overview of Software Defined Networking
Presented To: Innotech San Antonio
Presented By: Mark Thames
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2. The Evolution of Networks Since 2000
2000
• Files and Web Traffic
• Basic Routing and Switching
• ATM and Frame Relay WAN
• MySpace
• We cared about speed
• Video Conferencing and ISDN
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3. The Evolution of Networks Since 2000
2004
• Video, Streaming, Media Rich Applications
• Routing and Switching from L2 to L3
• MPLS WAN
• QoS and CoS
• Latency, Packet Loss, Jitter a big deal
• Server Virtualization and SANs taking off
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4. The Evolution of Networks Since 2000
Today
• Mobile, Cloud, Big Data, HD Streaming,IoT
• Routing and Switching Evolving to Software
• Network Virtualization
• Security at a Critical Stage
• Google Fiber and the Evolution of Bandwidth
• Dynamic Networking Needs
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5. Network ChallengesToday
Today
• Networks are difficult to manage and evolve
• Closed systems – proprietary hardware and
software
• Lack of dynamic networking in LAN
• No way to have lab networks on production
networks
• Network Virtualization?
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6. Software Defined Networking
Definition from Open Networking Foundation:
“Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is an emerging
architecture that is dynamic, manageable, cost-effective,
and adaptable, making it ideal for the high-bandwidth,
dynamic nature of today's applications.This architecture
decouples the network control and forwarding functions
enabling the network control to become directly
programmable and the underlying infrastructure to be
abstracted for applications and network services.The
OpenFlow™ protocol is a foundational element for
building SDN solutions.”
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7. SDN Basics
SDN Overview
• A way of organizing network functionality
• Separation of the Control plane and Data plane
• Application Layer, Control Layer,Transport Layer
• OpenFlow current API/protocol for SDN between
Control and Transport Layer
• Dynamically model and shape traffic
• Network Virtualization and application
integration (Hypervisor, Openstack)
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8. Benefits of SDN
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9. Overview of SDN Architecture
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10. Infrastructure Layer
Data Plane
• Packet Forwarding
• Top of Rack Switches / Network Devices
• Flow Tables
• Multiple Vendors have SDN OpenFlow
enabled switches
• Major Vendors have full product lines for SDN
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11. Controller Layer
The Network OS/Control plane
• Software that works to dynamically pull the
intelligence away from the hardware
• Architected to control the entire network – what
is the topology and tell the switches what to do
• Single plane of glass, single switch
• VLAN, ACL, Firewall
• Controller interfaces with applications, including
security controls
• Auto-provisioning and fast upgrades
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12. Application Layer
“API Integration”
• API Integration between the Application Layer and
Control Layer
• Dynamic network provisioning for traffic engineering
• SDKs for programmers to develop new services
• Security Integration
• Easier customization and integration with software
(Hypervisor, Openstack)
• Flexibility with programmability. Program your
network, don’t configure it
• Orchistration
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13. SDN Application Benefits
• Directly programmable: Network control is directly programmable because it
is decoupled from forwarding functions.
• Agile:Abstracting control from forwarding lets administrators dynamically adjust
network-wide traffic flow to meet changing needs.
• Centrally managed: Network intelligence is (logically) centralized in software-
based SDN controllers that maintain a global view of the network, which appears
to applications and policy engines as a single, logical switch.
• Programmatically configured: SDN lets network managers configure, manage,
secure, and optimize network resources very quickly via dynamic, automated SDN
programs, which they can write themselves because the programs do not depend
on proprietary software.
• Open standards-based and vendor-neutral:When implemented through open
standards, SDN simplifies network design and operation because instructions are
provided by SDN controllers instead of multiple, vendor-specific devices and
protocols.
• Source ONF
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14. Virtualization
“Abstraction between physical resources and
their logical representation”
• ServerVirtualizationWidespread
• StorageVirtualization
• Desktop Virtualization
• Network Function Virtualization
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15. Virtualization Usage
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16. Open Networking Foundation
ONF
• User Driven Organization Dedicated to the
Promotion and Adoption of SDN
• Over 100 Members (All Major SDN Players)
• Clean Slate, Stanford University 2007
• Launched OpenFlow in 2011
• More than 20+ Vendors with OpenFlow in 2012
• Solid SDN Solutions Available in 2013
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17. OpenFlow
OpenFlow IS NOT SDN, it is a API/Protocol
• OpenFlow is an open API that is the interface between
the Controller Layer and Interface Layer
• Enables visibility and programmability of your network
• Openflow enabled switches: SW – Secure Channel
• Openflow enabled switches: HW – ForwardingTable
• Traffic to controller is SSL
• Can I have an SDN without OpenFlow?
• How long will OpenFlow be the standard?
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18. OpenFlow vs.Traditional Networks
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19. Security Benefits and Gotchas
Benefits
• DDoS Black Holes
• True NAC at the virtual level
• Dynamic firewall and UTM
• Deep packet inspection at the hypervisor level
• Malware protection
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20. Security Benefits of SDN
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21. Security Benefits and Gotchas
Gotchas
• API integration to software controllers can
lead to more attacks
• BYOD devices can take over your network if
not secured properly
• As controller software gets more popular, be
careful the products are from reputable
companies with a security focus as well
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22. Do I Need SDN Now?
Key Questions to Ask
• Do I need to deploy 10 gig in my data center?
• Do I need to add Operations Staff?
• When is your data center network off the books?
• Do you need to dynamically shape and schedule
traffic?
• Are you hosting private clouds
• How many outages do you have?
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23. The Future
Next 3 Years
• Might seem small now but it is going to get big
very quick
• “Holy Grail” LAN and WAN SDN Integration
• MPLS bandwidth cost changes
• Devices (your phone) will control the API’s to
control your network
• Major investment in SDN
• Incumbents will do well and acquire the best
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24. The Future
Organizations and Startups
• Open Daylight Org
• ON.LAB – Open Networking Operating
System (ONOS)
• Versa
• OpenContrail (Juniper Networks)
• Stanford University Pantou (OpenWRT)
• ONF
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25. KeyTakeaways
SDN Recap
• Networks have been the last to evolve, but the
evolution has begun
• SDN at its basic level is separation of the control
plane and data plane
• OpenFlow is at the heart of SDN, but is NOT SDN
• Test, Test, Test
• Sticking with the incumbent network providers is
not a bad strategy
• Start planning now for SDN
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26. Questions?
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27. ThankYou!
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MarkThames| Sacramento Technology Group, LLC
mthames@sactech.com | www.sactech.com