A Software Defined Network Architecture for Transport Networks

Software Defined Networking (SDN) has had a successful journey from experimental university networks to production deployments, simplifying networks at IP/Ethernet layers within the data center. It is now extending its benefits into the wide area network (WAN) at both the packet layer and the transport layer. SDN enables centralized and programmatic control of the underlying packet and transport layers to provide increased automation to reduce OpEx, optimize the network to reduce CapEx, and deliver new services to increase revenues and improve customer retention. With the proper architecture and implementation, SDN can also support service providers who want to transform to a DevOps model for rapid service creation and deployment for a better competitive posture in the marketplace.