Provision, manage, and program networks more rapidly with software-defined networking. In this centralized approach to network management, the underlying network infrastructure is abstracted from applications. SDN provides choice in automation and programmability across data centers, campuses, and wide-area networks. See how SDN is the foundation for automating the complete network lifecycle with intent-based networking.
Our world is facing an acceleration in the frequency, diversity, and impact of disruptions. Planning your network to help your organization respond to the unexpected is now more important than ever.
Software-defined networking (SDN) is an architecture designed to make a network more flexible and easier to manage. SDN centralizes management by abstracting the control plane from the data forwarding function in the discrete networking devices.
An SDN architecture delivers a centralized, programmable network and consists of the following:
SDN has seen wide adoption across data centers (64%), WANs (58%), and access networks (40%). For more information on SDN trends, see the 2020 Global Networking Trends report.
SDN serves as a foundational element of a comprehensive intent-based networking (IBN) architecture. SDN has been limited to automated provisioning and configuration. IBN now adds "translation" and "assurance" so you can automate the complete network lifecycle and continuously align the network to business needs. Watch our Beyond SDN webinar recording to explore more ways intent is changing how we network.
Reduce complexity by decoupling the control and data planes, while making automation highly secure and scalable.
Deploy applications and services faster by leveraging open APIs. Easily integrate third-party products.
Eliminate manual configuration. Provision and manage data centers, campuses, and wide-area networks.
Centralize configuration, management, control, monitoring, service delivery, and cloud automation.
Increase business agility: automate provisioning and operations, enhance security, and enable multicloud.
Design, provision, and manage highly secure networks that provide access to any application.
Artificial intelligence and network automation have been identified as key trends impacting networking in next five years.
Deploy faster with a strategic plan, migration strategy, and roadmap. Drive operational excellence with services to help improve security and visibility.
Are you a Cisco partner? Log in to see additional resources.
Looking for a solution from a Cisco partner? Connect with our Partner ecosystem.