SDN: A Different Approach for the Design and Implementation of Converged Networks

A novel and innovative way to optimize the wireless network infrastructure is implementing a solution based on SDN or software-defined networks. SDN enables organizations to accelerate application deployment and distribution by dramatically reducing IT costs through policy-based workflow automation. SDNs converge the management of network services and applications into centralized and extensible coordination platforms that can automate the provisioning and configuration of the entire infrastructure. In our academic environment, no research has been done related to this topic, much less a solution for network optimization, whether wireless or wired, based on this new approach has been implemented. The ONF Open Networking Foundation defines SDN as “an emerging architecture that is dynamic, manageable, cost-effective and adaptable, making it ideal for the high bandwidth required by the dynamic nature of today's applications” [1]. This architecture to function depends on the OpenFlow open standard, fundamental to build SDN solutions. This study shows the foundations of this new paradigm, its main characteristics, and applications through an exploratory and documentary research methodology, in which simulated environments and comparative analyzes are presented that demonstrate the better performance of SDN networks compared to conventional networks. Future works are detailed to promote and encourage SDN in our academic environment and the productive sector.