Literature survey is a detailed analysis of accessible academic sources such as a thesis, journal articles or books based on a particular topic. We propose a literature survey on SDN (Software-Defined Networking) area which encompasses the main scope and popular resources of research-worthy topics:

1. Main Theories and Fundamentals of SDN

• SDN Architecture: Encompassing the isolation of the control and data planes, investigate the basic framework of SDN.
• OpenFlow Protocol: Among the control and forwarding layers of an SDN system, conduct a review literature on OpenFlow and specify the interface of first standard communications.
• Controller Settings: By emphasizing the model, potential and applicable areas, analyze the diverse SDN controllers such as Floodlight, Ryu, ONOS and OpenDaylight.

2. SDN Applications

• Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Conduct a detailed research on SDN, in what way it supports the application of network services like load balancers and firewalls as considered as virtualized employments.
• Cloud Networking: In the process of handling and enhancing the cloud networks and data center, analyze the function of SDN.
• IoT and Edge Computing: While addressing the difficulties and capacity of IoT networks, explore the application of SDN which involves edge computing conditions.

3. Performance and Optimization

• Traffic Engineering: Carry out an extensive study on SDN, how it enhances the entire network performance, improves bandwidth control and advances the traffic flows.
• Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE): Seek for research which highlights the implications of SDN on network quality standards.
• Scalability and Integrity: According to the evaluation of SDN results and assuring the high accessibility, examine the involved problems and findings.

4. Security in SDN

• Security Functions: By means of network observation, outlier detection and centralized security policy implementation, investigate the SDN on how it improves the network security.
• Susceptibilities and Defense Mechanisms: Certain security susceptibility which arises from SDN architectures and the associated remedies should be examined.

5. Developing Technologies and Future Directions

• Synthesization with AI and Machine Learning: Analyze the research on the subject of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and machine learning, in what way it can be synthesized with SDN to improve network management and generate the decision-making process.
• Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN): Across conventional WAN (Wide Area Network) models, investigate the enhancements in SD-WAN technologies which specify the significant merits.
• 5G Networks: As a crucial technology, explore the SDN on how it is being situated in the governance and function of 5G networks.

Sources for Literature Survey

• IEEE Xplore: In the domain of networking and communications, IEEE Xplore is an important resource for academic papers and magazines.
• ACM Digital Library: For computing literature involving journals and conferences on SDN and networking, it can be referred to as another valuable repository.
• Google Scholar: Regarding the extensive conference proceedings, theses, books and research papers, Google Scholar is highly adaptable.
• ResearchGate: To discuss papers, ask queries and provide answers to the questions and detect the associates, this networking site is very beneficial for explorers and scientists.
• Specific Journals and Conferences: Consider the prevalent and specific journals such as “IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications” or exhibited at conferences like “IEEE INFOCOM” or “ACM SIGCOMM”, seek for words.

Carrying Out the Survey

• Abstracts and Keywords: According to your keywords like “SDN performance optimization”, “Software defined Networking” and “SDN security”, begin the process by interpreting the abstracts of papers.
• Systematic Analysis: Classify by subjects and topics to arrange papers. Provide the detailed outline of methodologies, results and conclusions.
• Gap Analysis: For your individual investigation or further research, detect the gaps in modern research and examine the probable areas.

How to build/develop a SDN/openflow controller?

In the motive of assisting you in configuring a SDN/OpenFlow controller, we suggest some crucial measures in selecting an appropriate programming language, OpenFlow libraries, developing user interfaces and furthermore:

1. Interpret SDN and OpenFlow Theories

Verify, whether you acquire in-depth knowledge about SDN principles, how the OpenFlow assumes the role of protocol to interact among the controller and the network devices like switches and the function of a controller, before you begin the developing process of SDN.

2. Select Programing Platform and Language

In accordance with your preference, choose a capable programming language and development platform. For SDN controllers, basic language involves:

• Java: For environments such as ONOS and OpenDaylight, Java is a prevalent language among users.
• Python: It is generally deployed with controllers such as Ryu.
• C/C++: In certain occasions, C/C++ provides high-level performance.

3. Choose or Create an OpenFlow Library

You may require an OpenFlow library that can be easily compatible with your chosen programming language, if you are not utilizing a current SDN environment like OpenFlow support. To manage OpenFlow messages and address the official data about the network, this library will assist you.

4. Controller Architecture Design

Consider the following factors to develop the model of your controller:

• Modularity: Along with explicit modules such as flow control management, topology management and device management, create the controller.
• Scalability and Performance: Examine the controller, in what way it might address a huge number of devices and massive amounts of network traffic.
• Fault Tolerance and High Availability: Without any disruptions, continue the performance by assuring the controller, whether it manages breakdowns considerately.

5. Execute Significant Controller Functions

The main capabilities of your SDN controller need to be executed:

• Topology Discovery: To figure out and maintain the exact aspect of network topology, examine the capability.
• Device Management: Keep a close observation on each network device and their positions.
• Flow Management: In order to insert, alter and delete flow entries in the switches, execute the significant techniques.
• APIs for Applications: Interact with the controller and request network resources by creating northbound APIs which enable applications.

6. Execute OpenFlow Protocol Support

While managing your controller, synthesize OpenFlow protocol:

• Message Handling: In order to manage different OpenFlow messages such as flow-mod, packet-in and port-status messages, execute the functions.
• Version Support: Select the version of OpenFlow, which your controller will assist. For example, the versions like 1.3, 1.5 or 1.0.

7. Design User Interfaces

To handle the controller, examine the emerging user interfaces:

• CLI: For simple controller communications, CLI (Command-line Interface) is highly beneficial.
• GUI: Visual representation of the network and multiple interactive controls are offered by GUI (Graphical User Interface).

8. Testing and Troubleshooting

In a simulated platform, use tools such as Mininet to examine your controller in a thorough manner:

Analyze for:

• Functionality: Verify each function, whether it performs as anticipated.
• Performance: Based on network sizes and conditions, examine the significant performance of controllers.
• Security: Among the controller itself, examine for susceptibilities.

9. Reports

Extensive reports need to be developed, in what way you can utilize your controller, how it executes SDN and OpenFlow rules and how it is synthesized with other systems.

10. Community Involvement and Reviews

To acquire reviews and beneficial insights, collaborate with a group of researchers and developers, if your project is an accessible-source. The capability and application functionalities might be enhanced through their feedback.

SDN Topics For Research Students

Below, we have shared a list of novel SDN topics for research students. Take a look at the research topics discussed below to gain expertise in your research work. If you would like further assistance, please provide matlabprojects.org with your details.

1. Software-Defined Networks for Optical Networks Using Flexible Orchestration: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities
2. A Table Overflow LDoS Attack Defending Mechanism in Software-Defined Networks
3. Malware Propagation and Prevention Model for Time-Varying Community Networks within Software Defined Networks
4. Modeling Handover Signaling Messages in OpenFlow-Based Mobile Software-Defined Networks
5. On the Tradeoff between Performance and Programmability for Software Defined WiFi Networks
6. SoftPSN: Software-Defined Resource Slicing for Low-Latency Reliable Public Safety Networks
7. Distributed Controller Placement in Software-Defined Networks with Consistency and Interoperability Problems
8. Enhancing Mobile Military Surveillance Based on Video Streaming by Employing Software Defined Networks
9. ABS-TrustSDN: An Agent-Based Simulator of Trust Strategies in Software-Defined Networks
10. Software-Defined Networks and Named Data Networks in Vehicular Ad Hoc Network Routing: Comparative Study and Future Directions
11. A Software-Defined Networking Roadside Unit Cloud Resource Management Framework for Vehicle Ad Hoc Networks
12. Congestion Control in Wireless Software Defined Networks with Propagation Delay and External Interference: A Robust Control Approach
13. Optimizing QoS Metrics for Software-Defined Networking in Federated Learning
14. Optical Network Models and Their Application to Software-Defined Network Management
15. Software-Defined Networking: An Evolving Network Architecture—Programmability and Security Perspective
16. Packet Scheduling for Multiple-Switch Software-Defined Networking in Edge Computing Environment
17. Attribute-Guard: Attribute-Based Flow Access Control Framework in Software-Defined Networking
18. SDNDefender: A Comprehensive DDoS Defense Mechanism Using Hybrid Approaches over Software Defined Networking
19. ALBRL: Automatic Load-Balancing Architecture Based on Reinforcement Learning in Software-Defined Networking
20. Quantitative Analysis of the Security of Software-Defined Network Controller Using Threat/Effort Model