Get in Touch
 Duration 35 hours

Course Outline

SDN Fundamentals

  • Contrasting traditional vs. software-defined networking paradigms
  • SDN architecture: data plane, control plane, and application plane
  • Core concepts of the OpenFlow protocol
  • Benefits and challenges associated with SDN adoption
  • Overview of the open source SDN ecosystem

Linux Networking Foundations

  • Network namespaces and isolation techniques
  • Comparing Linux bridges with Open vSwitch
  • Using Traffic Control (tc) for QoS and shaping
  • VXLAN and GRE tunneling implementations in Linux
  • Network configuration management (systemd-networkd, NetworkManager)

Open vSwitch In-Depth

  • Open vSwitch architecture and key components
  • Installation and initial setup procedures
  • Configuring bridges and managing ports
  • Flow rules and OpenFlow 1.3/1.5 features
  • VLAN and tunneling support (VXLAN, Geneve, GRE)
  • Bonding and LACP configuration
  • Monitoring and troubleshooting OVS

OVN (Open Virtual Network)

  • OVN architecture and its integration with OVS
  • Configuring logical switches and routers
  • NAT, load balancing, and ACLs within OVN
  • Integration of DHCP and DNS services
  • Using OVN for Kubernetes networking
  • Comparing OVN with traditional Open vSwitch deployments

FRRouting (FRR) Implementation

  • FRR architecture and component overview
  • Basics of installation and configuration
  • Setting up BGP configurations and policies
  • Deploying OSPF and OSPFv3
  • IS-IS for data center fabrics
  • Using BFD for rapid failure detection
  • Route filtering and redistribution strategies

EVPN and VXLAN with FRR

  • EVPN fundamentals and applicable use cases
  • VXLAN control plane management via BGP EVPN
  • MAC address advertisement and learning processes
  • Configuring distributed anycast gateways
  • Multi-tenant layer 3 VPNs using EVPN
  • Troubleshooting EVPN deployments

SDN Controllers Overview

  • The role of SDN controllers in network architecture
  • Controller deployment models (centralized, distributed, hybrid)
  • Introduction to OpenDaylight and its architecture
  • Overview of the ONOS platform
  • Criteria for selecting an SDN controller

Deploying OpenDaylight

  • OpenDaylight installation and setup
  • Karaf container and service management
  • MD-SAL and basics of application development
  • OpenFlow plugin and switch management
  • YANG models and data modeling concepts
  • REST API and northbound interfaces

Deploying ONOS

  • ONOS architecture and components
  • Installation and cluster setup
  • Device and link discovery mechanisms
  • Application development model
  • Intent-based networking with ONOS
  • Integration with programmable pipelines (P4, NPL)

Network Programmability

  • REST APIs and JSON-RPC for network automation
  • gNMI (gRPC Network Management Interface)
  • YANG data modeling for configuration management
  • NETCONF and RESTCONF client usage
  • Python libraries for SDN (RYU, POX, ryu)
  • Developing custom SDN applications

Automation and Orchestration

  • Using Ansible for network automation
  • Terraform for managing network infrastructure
  • Configuration management at scale
  • Continuous deployment of network changes
  • Integration with CI/CD pipelines

Traffic Engineering and Policies

  • Traffic classification and marking
  • Implementing Quality of Service (QoS) with OVS/FRR
  • Policy-based routing strategies
  • Path computation and optimization techniques
  • Introduction to Segment Routing
  • Monitoring traffic flows and performance metrics

Security in SDN Environments

  • Security considerations for SDN controllers
  • Securing OpenFlow channels (TLS)
  • Access control and RBAC for SDN
  • Network segmentation and micro-segmentation
  • DDoS mitigation strategies using SDN
  • Security monitoring and incident response

SDN for Data Centers and Cloud

  • Designing data center fabrics with SDN
  • Network virtualization for multi-tenancy
  • SDN integration with OpenStack and Kubernetes
  • Service chaining and NFV integration
  • Hybrid cloud networking utilizing SDN

Production Deployment and Operations

  • High availability design for SDN controllers
  • Scalability planning and performance tuning
  • Backup and recovery strategies
  • Monitoring the SDN infrastructure
  • Troubleshooting SDN environments
  • Upgrade procedures and maintenance windows

Summary and Future Directions

  • Challenges and lessons learned from SDN adoption
  • P4 and programmable data planes
  • AI/ML applications in network automation
  • Emerging standards and protocols
  • Community resources and continuing education

Requirements

  • A strong grasp of TCP/IP networking and routing protocols
  • Practical experience with Linux networking utilities (iproute2, iptables, nftables)
  • Understanding of switching mechanisms and VLAN concepts
  • Knowledge of network monitoring and troubleshooting techniques
  • Foundational skills in Python or shell scripting

Target Audience

  • Network Engineers moving into SDN roles
  • DevOps Engineers responsible for network infrastructure
  • Cloud Infrastructure Architects
  • System Administrators overseeing network configurations

Number of participants


Price per participant (excl. VAT)

Upcoming Courses

Related Categories