Software Defined Networking (SDN) Glossary Definition

is a mechanism that separates the data plane and control plane, permitting decision making to be centralized and performed via a programmable interface. SDN is a term that encompasses several network technologies. The aim is to make the entire network operate similar to a modern data center with its virtualized server and storage infrastructure.

See also: SDN.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a Network virtualization or automation concept used to separate policy, control, or forwarding behavior from fixed hardware configuration.

This term is used in software engineering, programming, scripting, testing, application architecture, and development lifecycle work. It helps teams describe how software is designed, implemented, integrated, and maintained.

Cloud, platform, and infrastructure teams use this concept when automating networks and moving connectivity policies into software-defined controls.

Related concepts include Routing.

Additional Resource: Open Networking Foundation SDN Definition.