SDN/NFV is the Future of Networking

The telecommunications sector has been spearheading change for quite some time now. The change is rapid as it must deal with the growing technology environment and manage the ever-increasing customer expectations. Numerous new technologies will have a massive impact on the network and the way they provide services. Enhanced production of internet-based applications and smartphones, the 5G explosion, ever-increasing WAN requirements and the advent of chaotic traffic patterns due to M2M and IoT connectivity have been some of the most apparent disruptors.

However, new services on the go, extreme growth for dynamic bandwidth (especially for video), flattening profits and a strong requirement to cut costs – service providers have no option but to change their processes and networks. Exploring a path to connect and address all these challenges is essential to keep pace with the ever-changing environment. On this front, ACL Digital’s Network Transformation Services can enhance your network to achieve significant performance enhancements and improved service levels combined with persistent cost-savings.

SDN and NFV: Redefining the Way Networks are Built

Today, customers and clients need an incredibly high-speed network for their bandwidth-consuming applications. Virtualization is empowering network architects to design, implement, and manage network services far more effectively than ever before. Software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) are two of the key technologies promoting this massive transformation.

There is a growing belief among industry leaders that NFV and SDN will provide significant efficiencies, cost savings, and more practical and adaptable management of the network. Using SDN and NFV makes the whole network agile and modular. Both technologies deliver a steady, dependable, and quality experience to all users, with a substantial effect on the user experience, and in turn, helps retain clients. These technologies have caught people’s attention and are gradually delimitating the way networks are built and managed for a world that is always connected. Nevertheless, the requisite is a software-based architecture built on NFC and SDN integrated with server-class commodity hardware meant to offer L4 to L7 intelligence in the network.

Recent Trends and Challenges

Implementing traditional network protocols has posed a real challenge to network management. The world is changing at a rapid pace, and so are the computer networks. They are now more complicated, and consequently, managing networks tend to place a challenging task on the network operators. Due to the pressing need for new architectures, consumer use cases and business cases will drive considerable investment in the network infrastructure.

By using NFV and SDN, most network operators significantly enhance the user experience. The operators restrict themselves from using high-cost exclusive hardware to offer a chain of networks. Additionally, cost-reduction is essential when we shift from one generation to another generation of technology innovation using minimum network bandwidth and boosts latency.

SDN allows networks to be centrally controlled via software applications that use open APIs. While NFV divides the network functions from the hardware components so that they can run in software. Both architectures have now become desirable options for integrators and value-added resellers (VARs) that need frameworks for network programmability and virtualization.

Let Us Understand the Challenges

Few recent market reports have highlighted some of the transitional issues that service providers can handle. Respondents also identified intricacies linked to the integration with third-party VNFs, organizational issues, and the need for unified industry standards as substantial hurdles. Below are some of the challenges:

• Business cases for virtualization for CSPs
• Integration and orchestration in hybrid networks
• Lack of required skills and competencies
• Regulatory or organizational issues
• Management and orchestration problems
• Lack of standards and norms
• Privacy and security issues

Why SDN and NFV is a Great Match?

Though SDN and NFV are two distinct concepts, a synergy between these two technologies is feasible and economically viable. On one side, SDN offers total control of the automation and network capabilities that may finally allow improved performance of the virtual functions, and on the other, it provides flexibility and agility. When used together, it gives administrators a top hand on control over the infrastructure without the requirement to touch the hardware. However, both technologies have common goals, such as delivering faster time to market for the deployment of services and create freedom from the hardware vendor. SDN/NFV could also improve the modern NFs delivering better scalability, programmability, and elasticity. Both the technologies try to virtualize large range of network components. These include:

• IP Multimedia System
• Routers
• Evolved Packet Core
• Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)
• Security devices (SSL VPNs, firewalls, IDS/IPS)

By using NFV and SDN, both users and service providers have numerous benefits such as:

• Enables virtual appliance market and pure software players
• Reduces the time required to implement network services
• Lessens the time-to-market
• Allows improved flexibility to scale up and down or progress
• Offers opportunities for trial and deployment of new advanced services

SDN and NFV are changing the network and telecom industry in a significant manner. They play a crucial role in the commercialization of 5G wireless communication. Below are some of the benefits they offer:
 

• In 5G, these technologies provide the user requested network functions
• Makes possible virtualization of different appliances in the network
• NFV separates a physical network into multiple virtual networks
• NFV will assist the control plane and manage the flow of network behaviour

Also, when NFV and SDN used together can virtualize a large variety of network elements like Evolved Packet Core (EPC), Routers, Security devices (firewalls, IDS/IPS, SSL VPNs) and Customer Premise Equipment (CPE).

Shift to SDN with ACL Digital

ACL Digital has in-depth experience in creating software-centric open architecture based on NFV and SDN. Our network transformation services coupled with professional services, system integration and consulting services provide an end-to-end solution to network equipment manufacturers and communication service providers with legacy networks and vendor lock-in. We have the experience to provide the required intelligence in the network that makes it agile, programmable, uncomplicated, and most importantly flexible.

Along with the above, we have a deep insight into the open NFV and SDN environment that digs into the latent potential of routers, switches, and network services to grow above the constraints of patented technologies. With this unique approach, we at ACL Digital work together with businesses in understanding their requirements to offer futuristic product development using NFV, SDN, and much more. Below are some of the offerings we deliver to our customers. They are:

• OpenFlow Protocol
• SDN Controller
• SDN-NFV Integration
• Network Service Orchestration
• SD-WAN
• NFVi Development

Conclusion

To meet the rising demands of the ever-growing network infrastructure and innovations in technology, SDN and NFV are the key solutions. ACL Digital's SDN and NFV offer top-class server commodity hardware to deliver the desired intelligence in the network that makes it simple and agile. ACL Digital discovers how to leverage the strengths of your SDN/NFV services to improve network management & create a more agile environment for your company. Contact us today for more information.