Software Defined Networking (SDN) promises to revolutionize service deployment and service activation in today’s telecommunications networks, but an analysis by PacketFront Network Products AB (PacketFront) concludes that the much acclaimed Open Flow standard is not the best choice for networks outside the data center. The company instead points to NetConf for use in broadband networks.
In recent years, Open Flow has become a popular technology to control switches in data center environments for orchestrating services. PacketFront concludes that the issues that Open Flow solves in the data center do not exist in the regional- or national networks that provide high-speed broadband services. Centralized flow control does not scale well and creates reliability issues that are difficult and costly to overcome without adding any benefits. Furthermore, services in the network require collaboration between devices and to use device functionality that Open Flow cannot control.
“With SDN, operators expect to create new services and adapt networks to changing demands from customers much faster and at a lower cost than current solutions allow. The problem is not lack of functionality in the network devices, the problem is how to get full control over every device in the service chain, and in this scenario, Open Flow is not the answer,” said Johnny Hedlund, CEO of PacketFront.
Established in 2001, PacketFront is a pioneer of automated service deployment, and today, tens of thousands of the company products are managed using software programmatic control software. The analysis shows that a data model approach, such as achieved with the standardized NetConf protocol, gives complete control of all features in the network devices to the SDN controller. The SDN controller can then deliver automated activation, customization, and deactivation of services across one, or multiple, network devices.
“SDN with NetConf is an evolution of what PacketFront has been doing for over a decade. We fully support the industry shift towards SDN and open standards, and our unique experience in interaction between network hardware and software to deliver services is something we are eager to share. Our new line of products include the standards, such as NetConf, that deliver full SDN support – even for the most complex services,” said Hedlund.
PacketFront Network Products AB supplies Edge Routers and switches in the Carrier Ethernet market segment. A spin-off from the PacketFront Group in 2012, the company has delivered over 1.3 million FTTH access ports to leading European broadband networks. PacketFront uses network processors and embedded software to deliver high quality and feature-rich networking products.
