Comparative Analysis of Traditional and Software Defined Networks

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology significantly simplifies network management tasks. It enables complex network configuration and controlling easy through a programmable and flexible interface. It opens a new horizon for network application development and innovation. Contrarily, complicated traditional IP networks are very difficult to manage and troubleshoot. They are error-prone and it is difficult to introduce new features and development of a new set of policies. In traditional networks, data and control planes are bundled in the firmware of the device whereas in SDN they are abstracted from one another. In this research work, a comparative study has been conducted between traditional networks and SDN. A comparative study is performed on the basis of various aspects such as architecture, layers, protocols, security, simulators, and vendors. This article also describes various SDN controllers and communication between the controllers with upper and lower layers with the help of API’s. Moreover, it also presents the architecture and communication protocols in the SDN.