---
title: Software-Defined Networking
description: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) centralizes network control by separating the control plane from the forwarding plane. Learners will understand how to programmatically manage network traffic, configure controllers, and implement network virtualization.
category: programming-tech
subcategory: computer-networks
difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced
url: /subject/software-defined-networking
---

# Software-Defined Networking

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) centralizes network control by separating the control plane from the forwarding plane. Learners will understand how to programmatically manage network traffic, configure controllers, and implement network virtualization.

## Available Resources

1 Books • 1 Courses • 2 Websites

## Websites

### 1. Mininet

Mininet is an open-source network emulator that runs a realistic virtual network of hosts, switches and SDN controllers on one machine. Its site hosts the walkthrough and documentation, so learners can build topologies and experiment with OpenFlow controllers without physical hardware.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://mininet.org/

**Tags:** software-defined-networking, network-emulation, openflow, mininet

### 2. opennetworking.org

Open Networking Foundation's site offers an overview of software-defined networking and open networking standards, with information on OpenFlow and ONOS, plus white papers, technical specifications, case studies, events, and other developer resources.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://opennetworking.org

**Tags:** websites, technology-computer-science, computer-networks

## Books

### 1. SDN: Software Defined Networks

**Author:** Thomas D. Nadeau, Ken Gray

O'Reilly guide to software-defined networking covering the separation of control and data planes, OpenFlow, SDN controllers such as OpenDaylight, network virtualization and data-center use cases. Readers learn how SDN architectures work and how they differ from traditional distributed network control.

**Difficulty:** Intermediate | **Language:** English | **Price:** Paid

**Link:** https://www.amazon.com/dp/1449342302?tag=edmonddante07-20

**Tags:** books, technology-computer-science, computer-networks

## Courses

### 1. Software-Defined Networking

In this course, you will learn about software defined networking and how it is changing the way communications networks are managed, maintained, and secured.

**Difficulty:** Beginner | **Language:** English | **Price:** Free

**Link:** https://www.coursera.org/learn/sdn

**Tags:** courses, technology-computer-science, computer-networks

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