White Paper: Automation in the WAN: The Critical Role of Multi-layer, Multi-vendor SDN Control Platforms, May 2019, Gorkem Yigit
This white paper discusses the emerging blueprint architecture of the new operational stack for SDN-based automation in the light of the progress made by leading operators, industry standardization bodies and vendors. It introduces the three-layer hierarchical model that is being adopted by operators for implementing SDN control in WANs and analyses the key role that centralized multi-layer, multi-vendor WAN SDN control platforms play in this architecture. Finally, the paper outlines the key functionalities and architectural requirements that operators should look for when building their multi-layer WAN SDN control platforms, and provides an overview of the vendor landscape with an analysis of the main strengths and weaknesses of various vendor groups.