Software defined networking (SDN) refers to a network infrastructure where the network control plane is decoupled from physical topology. SDN technology provides operators with number of advantages like increased flexibility and improved performance with simplified operations. Increasing need for enterprise mobility is driving the need for mobile devices like smartphones, notebooks, and tablets to access corporate networks. IT infrastructure is under pressure to configure these devices in robust manner meeting the compliance standards and norms.
The software defined networking and network virtualization market is broadly classified depending on type of solutions and end user market. The solution segments of this market include cloud virtualization applications, Switching, controllers, and network virtualization security solutions. End user segment of SDN market comprises of cloud service providers, telecommunication providers, and enterprise data centers.
Telecommunication providers in SDN market are finding the ways to optimize the costs and increase network efficiency of available networks. At the same time, this industry is experiencing huge push from new forma of networking technologies that are comparably faster and easier to manage. Software defined networking is growing as a major technology over the past few years to address this trend.
Software defined networking is the first of its kind concept that has picked up significant market grip in recent few years. This technology is helping communication providers to redirect the network traffic and free the network congestion, thus resulting in cost saving and driving the core business goals. While the software defined networking and network virtualization market is at its developing stage, industry consolidation in near future is expected to increase the adoption of this technology with concentrated messaging among enterprises.
The important and key features of SDN technology include logically centralized control plane similar to the network operating system that facilitates logical mapping of network for controlling applications and services incorporated on this network. SDN also provides the features like slicing and virtualization of underlying networks. This feature allows logical manipulation of particular slice in the network by improving network flexibility. This technology also provides infrastructural control over data centers and network operators by allowing superior optimization and customization and reducing their overall capital and operational cost. Some of the major factors driving the growth of SDN market include
Need for mobilityBring your own device (BYOD)Dire need for reduction in carrier and data center operating expenditure (OPEX)Capital expenditure (CAPEX)The global market for software defined networking is forecasted to grow and reach the value of $2.11 billion by the year 2017 at the compounded annual growth rate of 60.43%. This market is expected to grow gradually from being standard driven to a function of software development, and ultimately revolutionizing the network utilization and becoming predictable. SDN technology is expected to become highly influential in telecom and enterprise networks over the period of five years.
