PART One: SDN & IBN Assignment

Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN) offer an ability to revolutionize the modern network architecture. Both of these concepts are relatively new and your Chief Technology Officer (CTO) has only heard them in passing. In fact, she pawned them off as the new “marketing fad” dressed up as a new concept. As you have researched both technologies, you understand this is not a fad. When used in combination with virtualization and cloud computing, you know this could revolutionize how the organization operates. Providing for reduced costs, efficiency, better management of the network assets, and security. However, you need to develop a white paper for the CTO to highlight these benefits. Given she has only heard the term in passing, you must describe the SDN and IBN concepts, their benefits, and what it would take for the organization to implement. You decide to form a group and tackle this opportunity together. As an individual, you will complete a white paper that includes the following sections and information:

• An introduction to Software Defined Networking (SDN).
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.
• An introduction to Intent-Based Networking (IBN) – discussed in Week 4.
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.
• Discussion on how virtualizing the desktop and now backend infrastructure are complementary and related.
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.
• Discussion of how SDN and IBN are related.
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.
• Describe how applying these technologies would reduce cost of the current organizational IT environment, including the proposed upgrade from Week1 (details below).
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.
• Describe how an SDN/IBN architecture would look different than network architectures we have traditionally deployed. Compare and contrast the network architectures and discuss the pros and cons of each.
  • Use additional sources of information but also describe the concept in layman terms.
  • Use visuals where appropriate.

  To complete the assignment:

  • Answer the above questions and embed the appropriate screenshots of your cloud infrastructure provision.

Additional Details:

• The organization currently maintains 2,000 Microsoft Windows desktop computers for the workforce. As you recall, these desktop computers were about to be refreshed. The organization is currently considering the Dell Optiplex series. Specifically, each computer would have a Intel Core i5 processor, run Microsoft Windows 10, contain 8GB DDR4 RAM, and have a 256GB solid state drive. The rough estimate for each PC is $1,250.00, which equates to a $2,500,000.00 upgrade cost to the organization.
• Microsoft Office runs on each of these computers. The license fee for each computer is $150.00, which equates to a $300,000.00. The organization typically upgrades all PC’s with the latest version of Microsoft Office when it is released.
• The organization used multiples instances of Oracle Database. These databases are distributed across 10 Dell PowerEdge Servers. These servers cost a minimum of $2,159.00 each, for a total cost of $21,580.00.
• The organization maintains an additional 20 Dell PowerEdge Servers for a variety of reasons to include email, file backup, remote access, etc. The total cost to refresh each of these servers is $3,000.00, for total cost of $60,000.00.
• The organization maintains various networking devices. The total cost of this equipment is $3,000,000.00, and yearly refresh costs are $750,000.00.
• The organization maintains a suite of network security hardware and software solutions. They include a DMZ configuration, multiple firewalls, VPN hardware, antivirus solutions, intrusion detection and protection devices, and log management solutions. The total yearly hardware and software costs for the organization cybersecurity efforts are $2,000,000.00.
• The organization also allows users to access the network via their company issued Android phones, or iPads. Each employee receives a mobile device with VPN software installed so that they may remotely access company systems when they are at home, or traveling.
• Because this is a notional example and assignment, each group may make further assumptions about the organization IT environment. There is no need to ask your Instructor for permission. Simply make explicit your assumptions in the white paper. For example, you are free to assume the number of IT professionals, their specialties, and more importantly the cost to run the IT department.