Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is an approach to networking that

aims to make networks more flexible, scalable, and programmable by

separating the control plane from the data plane. This separation allows
network administrators to manage network resources through software
applications, making it easier to implement and automate network tasks.
Here is an overview of the SDN architecture:

1. Application Layer:
 This layer includes various software applications that interact with the
SDN controller to implement network services and policies.
 Applications can be developed by vendors, third-party developers, or
network administrators to address specific networking needs.
2. SDN Controller:
 The controller is the brain of the SDN architecture, responsible for
managing and controlling the network.
 It acts as a central intelligence that communicates with the network
devices and makes decisions based on the network state and policies.
 The controller exposes APIs that allow applications to communicate
with it and request changes in the network behavior.
3. Southbound APIs:
 Southbound APIs are used by the SDN controller to communicate
with the network devices in the data plane.
 These APIs instruct switches and routers on how to forward packets
based on the controller's decisions.
 OpenFlow is one of the most commonly used southbound APIs in
SDN.
4. Network Devices (Data Plane):
 These devices include switches and routers that forward data packets
based on instructions received from the SDN controller.
 Network devices in an SDN environment don't have complex control
logic; instead, they rely on the controller for decision-making.
5. Northbound APIs:
 Northbound APIs are used by the applications to communicate with
the SDN controller.
 These APIs allow applications to request network services, define
policies, and retrieve information about the network state.
 RESTful APIs are commonly used as northbound APIs in SDN
architectures.
6. Infrastructure Layer:
 This layer comprises the physical and virtual network devices that
make up the underlying network infrastructure.
 These devices forward packets based on the instructions received
from the SDN controller.

The key benefits of SDN include improved network agility, simplified

network management, easier implementation of network policies, and
better support for dynamic workloads and applications.

It's important to note that SDN can take different forms, and various
vendors may implement SDN architectures differently. Open-source
projects like OpenDaylight and ONOS provide open SDN controller
platforms, while proprietary solutions also exist in the market.