This white paper examines how Carrier Ethernet fits together with software-defined networking (SDN). It describes SDN, then looks at how SDN can be applied as a vehicle for delivering Carrier Ethernet.
The result is that SDN makes Carrier Ethernet more dynamic and agile. This more dynamic Carrier Ethernet is well-suited for on-demand cloud applications and interconnecting virtual network functions and their cloud computing infrastructure.
In this paper, the working definitions of SDN and models for Carrier Ethernet and SDN are described. Evolving Carrier Ethernet service deployments which provide the benefits of SDN based management and responsiveness are also discussed.
This white paper originally posted on the Metro Ethernet Forum website