Optimizing Traffic Routing in Different Network Environments Using the Concept of Software-Defined Networks

Routing process should encompass finding the best route through the network according to different criteria, with respect to the principle of load balancing, dynamic adaptation to current network conditions, special treatment of traffic based on QoS levels, as well as minimum energy consumption through energy-aware routing. The emergence of the IoT paradigm, 5G networks, increased number of real-time and mobile applications, as well as the increasingly complex requirements in terms of QoS, have put a grave task ahead of the researchers and the industry. Adaptive and efficient management of current network and traffic, and basis for making the networks resistant and ready for the inevitable changes in the foreseeable future, must be ensured. The idea of software-defined networks has offered a new architecture that seeks to overcome the disadvantages of classical network architectures. This approach has enabled direct programmability of the network, faster and simpler introduction of innovations, greater granularity of routing criteria, implementation of consistent and comprehensive policies, real-time response to changes, etc. This paper is a state-of-the-art overview of SDN traffic routing benefits in different network environments, as well as open issues and challenges to be addressed in future research.