Myth vs Hype >> Cloud with SDN

Cloud Computing is the use of data center servers and software networks to dynamically allocate resources and run Applications for remote end users. Typically divided into three categories (private, public, and hybrid) cloud deployments have grown rapidly in recent years, promising cost savings and greater flexibility over traditional private data centers.

Virtualization is key for cloud computing. By allowing physical servers to run one or more virtual machines on demand, cloud architectures offer rapid scaling and efficient allocation of server resources on the fly.

Cloud technology including Public Private and Hybrid explained at following article http://streamingcodecs.blogspot.com/2015/10/public-private-and-hybrid-cloud.html Private cloud refers to cloud infrastructure dedicated to a single company and accessed by a private network connection, operating on servers managed either internally or by a third-party provider. For many organizations in highly regulated industries, private clouds remain the solution of choice. Cloud infrastructure platforms such as OpenStack offer a framework for private cloud deployment and management, and a bevy of vendors have begun releasing supported versions of the open source platform.

The public cloud refers to services such as Amazon Web Services, which sell server resources (rather than dedicated physical servers) accessed over a public network such as the Internet.

Hybrid cloud (sometimes called “cloud bursting”) is the combination of multiple clouds. For example, a company could use public cloud services to handle temporary bursts of activity that exceed private cloud capacity. Some companies also use private clouds for certain sensitive business units while hosting less critical applications on the public cloud.

The equally important characteristics to successful cloud networks including: (from Brocade Open analysis report)

·       Scalable and high performance

·       Extensible and interoperable

·       Policy and automation driven

·       Software-centric

·       Content-aware

·       Multi-domain/multi-tenant

·       Secure

Combining a variety of virtual and physical components, the networking portion of the cloud solution is much more complicated and comprehensive than typical networking solutions. Most clouds include a network orchestration or virtualization piece that provides abstractions to hide the complexity necessary to maintain and scale these clouds and make them much more manageable.

Clouds, cloud networks and related technologies will drive a significant shift in the networking market in the years ahead.

Agile, responsive enterprises are built on agile, responsive neatly into this philosophy. They reduce network complexity, adapt easily to change and enable you to respond quickly to business needs. 
SDNs can trigger a dramatic revolution in data center efficiency.
It’s difficult to deliver services and keep competitive with infrastructure designed for a simpler, less complicated time. During the era of client-server computing, most network traffic flowed from the data center to the clients in what’s known as a north-south traffic flow. Infrastructure. Software-defined networks (SDN) fit

Four ways to create an SDN

Create a flexible, adaptive path forward solution, regardless of the SDN approach you choose

The programmable approach. Many networking companies rely on a standards-based, programmable SDN approach that eliminates any dependency on proprietary software. You can implement programmable — as well as traditional and controller-based — networking solutions on one common platform. Open Z and S series switches support the Cumulus Networks Linux-based operating system for networking hardware, and networking operating System, and others.

Data packet payload manipulation and Service deployment:

On-box encryption and VPN, customized encryption algorithms, deep packet inspection, application awareness requiring payload inspection, ability to inject packets into a network stream Open Flow has no ability to instantiate a service directly on a network element. Service examples include firewall, Wide Area Application Services (WAAS), intrusion protection system (IPS) software, SDN Enabled broadband network gate (BNG), video monitoring, etc.

The centralized-controller approach:The Open Network Foundation, NEC and Big Switch Networks place control at the edge of the network with SDN controllers that support multiple network switching and routing devices. You can implement this approach with your choice of NEC and Big Switch Networks joint solutions.

The virtualization/hypervisor approach. VMware, Midokura and Microsoft use software-defined virtual switches to control the network — without requiring SDN/Open flow in the switching hardware. You can implement this approach with your choice of VMware, Microsoft and Midokura joint solutions. 

Cloud architectures have become pervasive across data centers, enterprises, and communication service providers, but the “cloud” is more than just architecture, it is also an approach and a mindset. In today’s social, mobile world, cloud applications have to scale dramatically and fail fast or succeed fast, and the new IT infrastructure has to support these requirements.

Fifty five percent of enterprises today use cloud computing, and more than sixty percent of businesses expect to have external-facing applications in the cloud within the next two to three years.