Software Defined Networks

Objectives

  • Identify the needs of modern networks and the limitations of traditional network architectures that lead to SDN and NFV
  • Justify the fundamental requirements of SDN and NFV architectures
  • Describe in detail the SDN and NFV architectures
  • Introduce the main functions of the SDN data plane
  • Describe the structure of an OpenFlow switch and the role of the OpenFlow protocol
  • Explain the main functions of the SDN control plane
  • Detail the base architecture of the SDN application plane
  • Describe the main virtualization technologies underlying NFV
  • Understand the design of virtualized network functions
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using SDN frameworks and OpenFlow and P4 languages
  • Identify existing SDN controllers and NFV orchestrators and their functionalities
  • Discuss the main NFV and SDN use cases and future evolution scenarios
  • Identify security risks and mitigation strategies in SDN and NFV implementations

Program

  1. Introduction to software-defined networks
    • Traditional network architectures and their limitations
    • Requirements of modern networks
    • The new SDN and NFV architectures
  2. Software Defined Networks (SDN)
    • SDN: concepts and architecture
    • SDN use cases in different networking domains
    • SDN Data Plane and OpenFlow
    • Programming forwarding pipeline with P4
    • SDN Control Plane
    • SDN Application Plane
    • SDN frameworks and controllers
  3. Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)
    • NFV: concepts and architecture
    • ETSI NFV Architecture
    • Virtualization technologies supporting NFV
    • NFV Functionality
    • Network Functions Virtualization
    • Instantiation and orchestration of VNFs and network services
  4. Security in SDN/NFV
    • Security challenges
    • Vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies

Bibliography

  • Peterson, L. L., Cascone, C., O´Connor, B., Vachuska, T., & Davie, B. (2021). Software-Defined Networks: A Systems Approach. Systems Approach LLC.
  • Huang, D., Chowdhary, A., & Pisharody, S. (2021). Software-Defined Networking and Security: From theory to practice. CRC Press.
  • Chayapathi, R. (2017). Network functions virtualization (NFV) with a touch of SDN. Addison-Wesley.
  • Gray, K., & Nadeau, T. D. (2016). Network function virtualization. Morgan Kaufmann.
  • Stallings, W. (2016). Foundations of Modern Networking: SDN, NFV, QoE, IoT, and Cloud. Pearson.

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