SDN (Software Defined Networking) allows engineers to control how network traffic should be routed. This is accomplished by decoupling the control plane that determines where data should go from hardware, enabling administrators to program the network via software.
SDN allows for the centralised management of IoT devices, providing critical scalability, flexibility and security benefits that IoT applications require.
SDN Layers
SDN architecture of an IoT network offers flexible yet centralized control of devices, increasing security and scalability while speeding deployment of services. Furthermore, SDN enables smart device migration between networks for IoT mobility purposes as well as dynamic traffic rerouting should device failure occur or network outage occur.
SDN differs from traditional networks by breaking its functions down into three layers; network management handles traffic control, application support oversees applications and networking manages network devices. This approach improves management of IoT devices by decreasing hardware requirements while improving network performance.
IoT devices demand high levels of flexibility and centralized network management, and SDN provides this for IoT managers. SDN allows IoT managers to administer their network from a central point, adapting it as needs evolve, while eliminating manual configuration of individual devices for easier management and oversight of the network as a whole.
SDN allows IoT devices to communicate using various communication standards such as DDS and MQTT, making testing each device simpler for engineers as well as quickly redirecting traffic when there are network issues or data usage limits. It is this connectivity which enables engineers to assess its functionality quickly as well as quickly rerouting traffic when network issues or limits appear.
SDN controllers in IoT networks use SDN technology to optimize network resources and enhance traffic flow by segmenting IoT traffic into different streams that can then be routed onto the best available network path. Prioritized traffic may receive priority as bandwidth allocation can also be done dynamically via SDN systems. SDN also helps strengthen security measures by centrally managing security policies and detecting threats in these networks.
SDN network architecture for IoT infrastructure is composed by four levels: edge network, access network, core network and data centre. Each of these layers requires certain requirements to be fulfilled by any SDN solution: sensor/actuator networks connecting wireless gateway devices that reach into the cloud via edge gateway devices; wireless APs/routers/IoT devices in access network can be remotely controlled or (re)programmed using SDN technologies such as OpenFlow or Open vSwitch for instance; data centre holds all IoT device data centre facilities containing IoT gateway devices which may need reprogramming by SDN technologies.
Discover the best courses about SDN, click here.
SDN Control
SDN can assist IoT network administrators by restricting access to critical data and prioritizing traffic flows – helping prevent attacks while increasing bandwidth efficiency and prioritising critical information. IoT administrators can utilise SDN as a way of allocating bandwidth efficiently and prioritising key assets.
SDN uses a centralized control architecture to coordinate data flows between various parts of a network and can also provide greater network visibility. Furthermore, SDN may reduce complexity associated with IoT device management by eliminating traditional networking technologies – leading to faster and more reliable connectivity between devices.
IoT applications are highly complex, and their requirements often change rapidly, which poses difficulties for current network provisioning approaches to meet. Software-defined networking (SDN) offers a scalable, adaptive and cost-effective way of deploying IoT systems.
An SDN-based IoT solution can be built using DDS (data distribution service) as middleware. An SDN controller can use DDS to monitor network performance and manage its configuration; its security model ensures data confidentiality and integrity, creating separate partitions within IoT infrastructure to prevent malicious attacks in certain parts of the network.
SDN middleware allows smart objects and gateways to communicate via various communication technologies, including Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN, USB serial connections and ZigBee. Furthermore, integration with NFV provides connectivity across multiple WANs as well as providing a scalable architecture for IoT.
Current IoT networks require a central network controller to effectively manage IoTs; however, this approach leaves IoT networks susceptible to disruptions and outages as well as adding latency into the network. Furthermore, maintaining such an infrastructure requires significant expertise as well as dedicated hardware.
SDN Data
As more IoT devices join the network, they will generate vast quantities of data which needs to be transmitted back to the cloud for analysis. To protect IoT devices against attacks such as malware and DDoS attacks, a reliable network with strong security is crucial; Software Defined Networking (SDN) offers one solution. By separating control plane traffic from data plane traffic via SDN architecture allowing centralized management and flexibility and agility within networks.
IoT networks are highly dynamic environments that frequently alter. Furthermore, IoT devices typically possess limited power resources, small packet sizes, and limited resources – characteristics which render them vulnerable to congestion and loss. To address these challenges, a new model of IoT network must combine SDN with mobile edge computing and network function virtualization (NFV). With this approach in place, networks will become more responsive to changing customer demand as well as improving the efficiency of network resources.
Step one of this process involves the implementation of SDN at the network edge. This can be accomplished by installing switches and routers dedicated to SDN in strategic positions around your network; this will facilitate improved bandwidth utilization and reduced latency as well as reduce costs related to managing IoT devices.
SDN-based traffic shaping can also help enhance IoT system performance by prioritizing certain types of traffic over others, and increasing its throughput. By decreasing bandwidth requirements for these applications, SDN traffic shaping helps enhance IoT applications’ overall performance.
SDN can also be utilized to secure IoT applications. IoT gateways may use SDN-based firewalls to thwart unauthorised access into their networks and add features like data filtering and fusion that reduce how much data travels over networks.
Learn more about SDN, click here.
SDN Application Layer
An SDN-based architecture can be used to control IoT devices by creating an application layer on top of the network. This approach offers flexibility and programmability for IoT system development while meeting dynamic QoS requirements from applications. Furthermore, SDN also improves system performance by decoupling the control planes of sensors and networking devices from their data planes.
IoT application layers consist of an IoT application specification and communication protocol between devices and applications, respectively. A controller takes charge in translating this specification into an executable graph and ensuring its instantiation within physical infrastructure while adhering to IoT requirements. Furthermore, this controller may also adjust network communication bandwidth or processing capability accordingly.
IoT devices connect to an access network that includes gateways for stationary devices and base stations for mobile ones such as smart cars, drones and haptic robots. Gateways communicate with their respective SDN controller via southbound technologies like OpenFlow or Open vSwitch while their IoT controller can then remotely reconfigure them based on application layer requirements.
An SDN-based access network enables IoT controllers to manage dynamic changes to network topology, routing and resource allocation; as well as optimize communications between IoT devices and cloud services.
Some IoT applications can be time sensitive and require packets to arrive within an acceptable delay limit. As such, it is crucial that IoT platforms can identify link congestion and inform their controller to route IoT traffic around these congestions; additionally they should have emergency routeing capability in case an unexpected event arises.
IoT networks can be thought of as hybrids between an IoT edge network and transport network, where an SDN orchestrator manages IoT devices at lower layers while guaranteeing end-to-end connectivity; additionally it may provide services like quality of service or security while helping reduce operating costs by eliminating additional hardware equipment requirements.
Do you want to discover more and get support? Contact IoT Worlds team today.