Problems whose solutions affect the functional stability of software-defined networks (SDNs)

DOI: 10.31673/2412-9070.2024.060456

Abstract

SDN is changing the future of networking and bringing new innovations. Demand for services and network usage is growing rapidly. Despite the growth drivers, software-defined networks face significant challenges in their development. Bearing in mind the growing number of problems, the relevance of research initiatives aimed at overcoming challenges, which are initiated by a number of problems of the functioning of software-defined networks, increases. Solving these problems can significantly affect the functional sustainability of SDN. Operators need an efficient, flexible, and scalable network in any operating conditions. Among the problems of software-defined networks, such as the need to ensure adequate reliability, scalability, performance, placement of controllers and security can be highlighted. In terms of reliability, the SDN controller must be able to support multipath solutions or fast traffic forwarding to active links. The separation between the data plane and the control plane, which distinguishes SDN from traditional networking, affects the scalability and performance of software-defined networking. The controller placement issue affects every aspect of the isolated control plane, from flow setup latencies to network reliability, fault tolerance, and finally performance metrics. Improving SDN security requires the controller to be able to support authentication and authorization classes for network administrators. In addition, improved security performance requires administrators to be able to use the same traffic management policies to prevent access to SDN control traffic. The study analyzed the causes of these problems and suggested possible ways to solve them, which will significantly affect the functional stability of software-defined networks. At the same time, the proposed ways are not the final solution to the problems, but only the opening of the field for new in-depth research.
Keywords: Software-defined networks (SDNs), SDN controller, reliability, scalability, performance, placement of controllers, security.