SDN & NFV: Virtuality Vs Reality

Please do read on LinkedIn SDN & NFV Reality vs Virtuality

Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) are
creating enough buzz on various channels and forums to proclaim the significance of
centrally controlled (Control Plane), scale-able and virtual IT services. This new
OpenFlow & OpenDaylight protocol based evolution promises to meet changing
business needs, pushing policies, scaling capacity and bandwidth-intensive data
demand without touching forwarding(Data Plane) network elements such as routers,
switches etc.
Related:[ More illustration of SDN]

Application Areas
Following are some of the main application areas:

Software Defined/Virtual Data Center

Cloud
Transport & Optical Network
Virtual EPC, CPE & DPI
...much more

Beside the main-stream vendors, SDN/NFV has allowed the new-entrants(API,

Software, App developer) to jump into this pool of OpenFlow and has allowed them to
take advantage of virtual/software domain. This would eventually create a competitive
and cooperative environment.
On account of all IP architecture of LTE, vendors have launched virtual evolved packet
core(vEPC) and radio to kick off. However the implementation is minimal so far. This
alertness and readiness of vendors in virtual space is a sign they are ready to challenge

similar products from new entrants and would probably take advantage of their legacy
with operators.
Related: [Ericsson], [Alcatel-Lucent], [Cisco], [Nokia Solutions], [Huawei]
I recently got the opportunity to explore NEC range of SDN/NFV products and was
amazed with vEPC and other product range...NEC Virtual Core Solution. This is new
domain so we should expect more.

Standards
SDN/NFV is based on OpenFlow protocol as foundation of its empire, the obvious
reason is adaptability and interoperability with standard pre-exist in legacy or physical
domain. This open environment would result in various variant of same concept,
however I believe that standardization is require to meet long term goals. For example
recently networking giant introduced its own version of SDN protocol...Cisco alternative
to OpenFlow.

Way-Forward
This amalgamation of virtuality and reality is going to impact IT infrastructure, services
and telecom domain in near future, we will witness how it feels when we enter into
virtual space. Don't get surprise if somebody come and ask " I have virtual routers,
switches, controllers, LTE Core, do you need?"............infect be ready for the change.
There must be a defined line to separate two domains (virtual, physical) to complement
each other. Apparently, it seems very appealing, attractive, cost effective solution and
evolution from traditional and legacy IT network/infrastructure but we know that every
change bring its own dynamics and transformation would take networks into relatively
new environment with new forms, norms, standards, security frontiers. Are we going
Virtual??
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