ISC2 CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)Communication and Network SecurityMedium
A global enterprise is implementing a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architecture to manage its vast and complex network infrastructure. The network operations team needs a component that can centralize the intelligence and decision-making for network forwarding, enabling programmatic control over network devices and services, and providing a unified view of the network state. Which SDN component fulfills this role?
- ASDN Control Plane
- BSDN Data Plane
- CSDN Management Plane
- DSDN Application Plane
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. SDN Control Plane
The SDN Control Plane is the 'brain' of the SDN architecture. It centralizes the network intelligence, makes decisions about how traffic should flow, and communicates these instructions to the data plane devices. This separation from the data plane enables programmatic control, automation, and a holistic view of the network.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The Data Plane (or Infrastructure Plane) consists of the network devices that forward traffic based on instructions.
- C. The Management Plane handles administrative tasks like configuration and monitoring, often utilizing the control plane.
- D. The Application Plane consists of network applications that consume network services exposed by the control plane.
SDN Control Plane
In Software-Defined Networking (SDN), the control plane is the centralized component that holds the network's intelligence, makes routing decisions, and communicates these decisions to the data plane devices. It decouples network control from forwarding functions.
- Centralizes network intelligence and decision-making.
- Communicates with the data plane via southbound APIs (e.g., OpenFlow).
- Enables network programmability and automation.
- Provides a unified, logical view of the entire network.
Memory trick: Control Commands Connections Completely.