ISC2 CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)Communication and Network SecurityHard
An organization is considering implementing a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) architecture. One of the key benefits cited is the ability to programmatically control network devices and dynamically adjust network configurations based on real-time demands. Which SDN component is primarily responsible for translating high-level network policies into low-level instructions for network devices?
- ASDN Data Plane
- BSDN Management Plane
- CSDN Application Plane
- DSDN Control Plane
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. SDN Control Plane
The SDN Control Plane, often represented by the SDN controller, is the 'brain' of the SDN architecture. It receives high-level policies from the application plane and translates them into specific forwarding rules (low-level instructions) that are then pushed down to the data plane devices (switches and routers).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The SDN Data Plane consists of the network devices (switches, routers) that forward actual traffic based on instructions from the control plane; it does not translate policies.
- B. The SDN Management Plane provides administrative functions like monitoring, configuration, and troubleshooting, but not the programmatic translation of policies to device instructions.
- C. The SDN Application Plane hosts applications that define high-level network policies and services, but it doesn't translate them into low-level instructions.
SDN Control Plane
The 'brain' of the SDN architecture, responsible for making forwarding decisions and translating high-level network policies into low-level instructions for data plane devices.
- Centralized intelligence of the SDN network.
- Communicates with the application plane (northbound API) and data plane (southbound API).
- Maintains a global view of the network.
Memory trick: SDN: 'A'pplication, 'C'ontrol, 'D'ata - 'A'll 'C'onnected 'D'irectly.