Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/141720
Figure 4: Intelligent communications processors can be used in both the control and data planes, as shown here, to integrate OpenFlow (OF) as a software-defined network with existing network architectures. Traditional Control Plane Open Flow Controller 1 Open Flow Controller 1 Axxia as SDN Proxy Control Plane Line Card Axxia as OF Proxy Data Plane network fabrics will need to be architected to scale cost effectively. The services-oriented networking architecture described here accommodates the changes that will be required in the data, control and management planes during this paradigm shift. The data plane is more application aware and flow oriented in a more unified, flatter and scalable fabric. This change will also require intelligent SDN proxies on line cards to extend their capabilities. The control and management planes facilitate centralized, policy-based management, and they also support multitenancy configurations to further enhance flexibility. And the new service plane ensures quality of service and enforces service levels with dynamic and portable policies. The result is a data center network that is faster, more affordable, more versatile and more scalable than would be possible with a connection-oriented architec24 | THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL Port ASICs Port ASICs Port ASICs ture. And that is exactly what IT managers need to confront the data deluge. n About the Author: Raghu Kondapalli is director of technology focused on Strategic Planning and Solution Architecture for the Networking Solutions Group of LSI Corporation. Kondapalli brings a rich experience and deep knowledge of the cloud-based, service provider and enterprise networking business, specifically in packet processing, switching and SoC architectures. Most recently he was a founder and CTO of cloud-based video services company Cloud Grapes Inc., where he was the chief architect for the cloud-based video-as-a-service solution. Prior to Cloud Grapes, Kondapalli led technology and architecture teams at AppliedMicro, Marvell, Nokia and Nortel. Kondapalli has about 25 patent applications in process and has been a thought leader behind many technologies at the companies where he has worked. Kondapalli received a bachelor's degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from Osmania University in India and a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University. About LSI: LSI Corporation (NASDAQ: LSI) designs semiconductors and software that accelerate storage and networking in datacenters, mobile networks and client computing. Our technology is the intelligence critical to enhanced application performance, and is applied in solutions created in collaboration with our partners. More information is available at www.lsi.com. LSI, the LSI & Design logo, and Axxia are registered trademarks of LSI Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand or product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. www.datacenterjournal.com