Software-defined networking (SDN): A reference architecture and open APIs

Abstract

Recently, Software-defined networking (SDN) is emerging and intensively discussed as one of the most promising technologies to make networks programmable and virtualizable, so that SDN could simplify network operations, reduce cost and accelerate service delivery. Even if openness which gives network customers choice to build best-of-breed their networks is one of main properties of SDN, open architecture, interfaces, APIs, etc. are not fully investigated yet. In this paper, we discuss SDN reference architecture and APIs for open networking environment.