SDN helps unify wired and wireless campus networks

IT professionals are faced with the challenge of unifying the management, control and security of their Wi-Fi and Ethernet switch-based campus networks. Software-defined networking (SDN) controllers can benefit campus networks by providing centralized management and automation throughout the network, improving security and application-level quality of service. In 2017, leading network vendors will improve their campus wireless and wired network integration capabilities through SDN.

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Campus networks are traditionally built on wired Ethernet switches from vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, and HPE, and the spending on wired Ethernet switches significantly exceeds the spending on Wi-Fi equipment. In addition to Ethernet switches, most office locations also have Wi-Fi access for conference rooms, contractors, and customers. A few campus networks only use Wi-Fi access.

The challenge facing IT professionals is to unify wired and wireless network management, control and security. The wifi market has evolved independently from the Ethernet switch market and far exceeds campus Ethernet switching in terms of centralized management capabilities deployed on-premises or in the cloud. In addition, vendors have different and incompatible hardware and software for wifi and Ethernet switching.

Advantages and Examples of SDN Campus Networks

Campus networks require high-speed access to a variety of devices, high-reliability 7x24-hour all-weather operation, extensive security, and centralized management and operation. The rise of BYOD requires the network to provide device configuration, security, and traffic processing. Some organizations need segmented campus networks to isolate traffic to meet security, compliance, or other business requirements. SDN controllers centralize access to traffic, bringing many benefits to campus networks, including:

• Centralized management. With the ability to automate tools to configure and manage network access to Wi-Fi and Ethernet switches, SDN helps script the necessary processes for configuring all the network services required by an application.
• Security. Provide appropriate security policies for various devices connected to the campus network (PCs, smartphones, IoT devices, etc.) - network segmentation and isolation. SDN also supports third-party security software, including intrusion detection, prevention systems, and firewalls.
• Application prioritization. Identify specific traffic (such as voice and video) and prioritize network resources to provide appropriate quality of service (QoS).
• Location-based services. Wireless-centric IT businesses, such as healthcare and hospitality, currently leverage location-based services over Wi-Fi to track users and devices roaming around their networks. As IoT becomes more prevalent in large enterprises, location-based services will become more mainstream.
• Programmability. SDN supports third-party partners and network operations to program the network through open APIs. For example, Microsoft Skype communicates with the controller through business APIs to set higher QoS policies for unified communication sessions.

Many vendors offer integrated wireless and Ethernet switching products, two of the most prominent being Cisco Merak and HPE Aruba. Both Cisco and HPE use SDN to provide centralized management, control, and security for their network products. Both companies plan to release new products in 2017 that use SDN to improve the integration of Wi-Fi and Ethernet switching products in campus network environments. Other notable vendors include Brocade, Dell, Aerohive Networks, and Juniper.

Recommendations for IT managers

Campus networks are key to supporting users and devices access to data center and cloud resources. Wireless and wired Ethernet products have been separated and developed separately, each with its own management system, security and API. IT companies can benefit from unified SDN-based services that can provide integrated network management and security across the entire campus network. However, existing SDN services focus on the wireless network area of ​​the campus network and are less prevalent in the wired Ethernet switch infrastructure.

Major equipment vendors plan to use SDN technology to promote integrated campus network products this year, but these products are usually provided by specific vendors and have extremely limited interoperability with third-party network equipment. Enterprises with existing or planned IoT projects should carefully evaluate the vendor's ability to integrate, secure and manage various devices, as this function appears in many products.