2. Software Defined Networks (SDN)
Why?
SDN brings the automation capability to
networking that virtualization brought to server
administration
Where?
The Data Center and the WAN
How?
Network Vendors are embracing Open
Standards like OpenFlow and OpenStack
Controller
Switch Switch
Switch Switch Switch Switch
Data Plane
Control Plane
3. Decoupling Network Hardware from Software
Why?
With SDN, large scale data centers are now
looking to run proven vendor software on white-
box hardware or customize software on high
performance hardware
Where?
Large Scale Data Centers
How?
Vendors are already changing licensing models,
and fulfilling hardware or software only options
Core
Aggregation
Edge
Core
Edge
Design Trend
4. Data center density is increasing, demanding more from switch uplinks
Blade Centers, Top-of-Rack Uplinks and Inter-Switch Links
The physics of fiber optic ethernet is capable of still higher speeds, demand will
continue to push speeds higher and costs lower
Higher bandwidth
Why?
Where?
How?