Comparative Analysis of Traditional Virtual-LAN with Hybrid Software Defined Networking Enabled Network

Abstract

The Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) refers to logically bifurcated LAN, and can be designed as per users requirement with centrally controlled feature defines Software Defined Network-Virtual Local Area Network (SDN-VLAN). VLAN has created an array of advantages and expectations for the IT industry, but their construction is very complex, weak, time-consuming, and vulnerable to mistakes. SDN has emerged into the most ambitious way to tackle the above limitations of VLAN control, revolutionizing the current network infrastructure to improve efficiency and scalability. This research article compares the three network scenarios wherein firstly, traditional VLAN network is implemented on Cisco Packet Tracer, followed by the second stage wherein, the same proposed VLAN network topology with reduced network resources is then implemented along with SDN on Mininet and Red Hat Enterprise (Rhel) interface and in the final stage, hybrid (Traditional VLAN and SDN enabled inter-VLAN) network topology is created and analyzed on Mininet. This study is further accompanied by comparing the three scenarios and depicting the results in a tabular form. It is observed that each scenario has its own pros and cons and this article continues with recommendations that network architectures should be revamped, although it relies solely on the network administrator the type of network can be applied according to the organization's existing resources although specifications.