This post has discussed SDN mainly in regard to business networks. However, there are sectors where SDN can be utilized with good effects and we are likely to realize these benefits in the coming years.

For instance, software-defined mobile networking (SDMN) shall enable the design and protocol of mobile networks to be controlled by software. The implication is that service providers shall offer networks at lower costs through utilizing commodity hardware.

Nevertheless, since SDN is open source, concerns about its security are not far-fetched. This is because this characteristic is what makes it vulnerable to attacks from hackers and disrupting the network. Even though these are legitimate worries, SDN is still easier to defend due to its centralized network monitoring system.

Additionally, the centralized control system is a concern too. For instance, if this control falls into the wrong hands, the consequences could be disastrous. Also, even if the administrator is trustworthy, if they are not well trained and consequently mess up the configuration, the network would become hugely impacted.

Also remember that even while SDN is cited as a tool that allows for easier transition to cloud technology, the cloud itself is a relatively new tool. Thus, for a company to incorporate these technological changes, it must enlist the services of a professional who has the necessary skill set and experience to handle the transition as well as manage operations smoothly.

The concept was still under review and construction for a while until 2011 when the Open Networking Foundation was created to vouch for the use of SDN. The particular one being promoted was OpenFlow; a standardized communications interface protocol.

More info: What is Network Observability