Software-defined networking (SDN) is an approach to computer

networking that allows network administrators to manage network

services through abstraction of lower-level functionality. This is done
by decoupling the system that makes decisions about where traffic is
sent (the control plane) from the underlying systems that forward
traffic to the selected destination (the data plane). The inventors and
vendors of these systems claim that this simplifies networking. [1]
SDN requires some method for the control plane to communicate with
the data plane. One such mechanism, OpenFlow, is often
misunderstood to be equivalent to SDN, but other mechanisms could
also fit into the concept.
Contents
[hide]

1 History

2 Concept

3 Limitations of other networking technologies

4 The need for a new network architecture

5 Architectural components

6 SDN deployment models

7 Applications
o

7.1 Security using SDN paradigm

8 Access control

9 See also

10 References

11 External links
History[edit]

The origins of software-defined networking (SDN) began shortly

after Sun Microsystems released Java in 1995.[2][3][4]
One of the first and most notable SDN projects was AT&T's GeoPlex.
[5]

AT&T Labs Geoplex project members Michah Lerner, George

Vanecek, Nino Vidovic, Dado Vrsalovic leveraged the network APIs

and dynamic aspects of the Java language as a means to implement
middleware networks. "GeoPlex is not an operating system, nor does
it attempt to compete with one. It is networking middleware that uses
one or more operating systems running on computers connected to
the Internet. GeoPlex is a service platform that manages networks and
on-line services. .. GeoPlex maps all of the IP network activities into
one or more services"[6]
As noted, GeoPlex did not concern itself with operating systems
running on networking hardware switches, and routers. AT&T wanted
a "soft switch" that could reconfigure physical switches in the network
and load them with new services from an OSS. However when
provisioning services GeoPlex could not reach deeply into the physical
devices to perform reconfiguration. The operating systems running on

networked devices in the physical network therefore became a barrier

to early SDN-like service delivery.
In 1998, Mark Medovich, a senior scientist of Sun Microsystems and
Javasoft, left Sun to launch a Silicon Valley soft switch startup
WebSprocket. Medovich designed a new network operating system,
and an object oriented structured runtime model that could be
modified by a networked compiler and class loader in real time. With
this approach, applications could be written with Java threads that
inherited WebSprocket kernel, network, and device classes and later
modified by the networked compiler/class-loader. WebSprocket's
platform was designed such that devices had the ability to instantiate
network stack(s), interfaces, and protocols as multiple threads. [7]
In July 2000, WebSprocket released VMFoundry, the Java to bare
metal structured runtime compiler, and VMServer, a networked device
compiler/classloader application server.[8] Custom networked devices
were preloaded with images created by VMFoundry then deployed on
the network and connected to VMServer via UDP or TCP services
plane, which could proactively or reactively load or extended network
protocol methods and classes on the target system. WebSprocket's
version of SDN, therefore was not confined to a set of limited actions
managed by an SDN controller. Rather, WebSprocket's "control plane"
contained code that could change, override, extend, or enhance
Network protocols on operating networked systems.[9] Bill Yount
(Stanford University Network) visited WebSprocket's Sunnyvale lab to
see a demonstration and expressed great enthusiasm about by the

entire concept, especially the VMServer (SDN Controller) and

prophetically stated SDN (WebSprocket) as " 10 years ahead of its
time". In Summer of 2000, Ericsson's advanced network research
engineers saw an immediate need and visited WebSprocket to design
and architect features of a next generation soft switch thus taking first
steps to build the world's first commercial soft switch.
Sometime during 2000, the Gartner Group recognized the emergence
of programmable networks as the next big thing for the Internet and
introduced the "Supranet", the fusion of the physical and the digital
(virtual) worlds as "internet of things". and by October 2000 the
Gartner Group selected WebSprocket as one of the top emerging
technologies in the world.[10]
In early 2001, Ericsson and WebSprocket entered into a license
contract to create the first commercial soft switch. Ericsson's entire
(SCS) call control software stack was ported by Joe Kulig
(WebSprocket) in a matter of days, a feat that astounded Ericsson. An
international consortium was formed to develop standards for the
"Supranet". In March 2001, Kurt Dewitt, Supranet Consortium
Chairman and Business Development Director for Ericsson's Data
Broadband and Optical Networks Division, announced the selection of
WebSprocket as the enabling technology of the Supranet Transaction
Server (STS), a comprehensive framework to deliver any networked
service.[11]
In April and May 2001, Anjaneya Prasad Calyam, a graduate student
at the Ohio State University and researcher atOARnet, ran the first

SDN test and developed the first practical SDN use case for Internet2.
[citation needed]

After successful completion of Calyam's tests, OARnet issued

the following statement on May 8, 2001:

"We have witnessed the successful first step to the fulfillment of smart,
interoperable networks through the deployment of Supranet
Transaction Server. A technology first was accomplished as a new set
of instructions was dynamically transmitted across the network,
changing the behavior of the requesting computer. There was no need
to take down any part of the system and there was no interruption of
service. Our testing will continue and we anticipate further
advancement of the next generation Internet through our partnership
with Websprocket" Pankaj Shah (Managing Director, OARnet)[12]