The Migration of SDN and WAN

The Migration of SDN and WAN


If there is one thing that is always true about technology, it's the fact that it is constantly in motion. As the world becomes more and more connected on a global scale, the need for additional technology becomes obvious. One of the ways in which this technology affects both businesses and individuals is in the way that networking takes place. At one time, it was possible to take care of most of the networking needs through software defined networking, also known as SDN.

Although SDN does provide many benefits for those that use it, the network that is now in use is one that is global and is no longer localized. That is why it is of benefit for software defined networking to extend into the wide area network (WAN). This allows it to span through a larger geographical area to and it can tie more than one local area network together. Those wide-area networks are often tied together through public networks, including the cable system or the telephone system. It may also be possible to tie a WAN together through satellites or through leased lines. The Internet is the largest example of a WAN.

One of the issues with a software defined network is the fact that it does not allow for much growth within the network. Those local networks tend to be rather rigid in their performance and they do not adapt well to change . If you remove the protocols that exist in this type of networking and set up a standard set of APIs, it is possible to control the elements of the network and allow for smart decisions to be made within the network itself. This helps to open up the network on more on more of a global level.

Another issue that could occur when implementing software defined networking is in the network management. You could begin to move away from controlling each WAN hardware device and programming them all with central software that will be used as a controller. Although this may seem like a good idea, it could end up causing problems in managing the environment ( Source ). This is something that each IT team will need to discuss to determine the best course of action for their particular situation.

Before you implement any form of networking, regardless of whether it is SDN, WAN or a combination of the two, it's important for you to consider the impact that it will have on your business. Although SDN may be worth the initial investment, it may take some time before you are able to see it. You will need to consider both the short-term and long-term benefits of controlling your network through local software. You can also look for ways to implement your local software on a wide-area network so that you can remain connected while at the same time, maintaining a sense of control.