On the Security of Next Generation Data Center Networks
đź“ś Abstract
The next generation of data center networks, such as those using Software Defined Networking (SDN) and cloud computing technologies, promises to increase efficiency and flexibility while lowering costs. However, they also bring new security challenges such as providing full network isolation, verifying security compliance, and securing centralized controllers from attack. In this work, we outline the new security issues particular to these networks, propose initial solutions and a taxonomy to analyze attacks, all while considering the SDN and cloud deployments currently undergoing experimentation in data centers.
✨ Summary
This paper, presented in August 2013 at the SIGCOMM Workshop on Hot Topics in Software Defined Networking (HotSDN), explores emerging security challenges in next-generation data center networks, specifically focusing on Software Defined Networking (SDN) and cloud computing. The authors, Eric Keller and Michael Freedman, discuss how these technologies, while promising increased efficiency and reduced costs, open up new vulnerabilities like issues with network isolation, security compliance verification, and safeguarding centralized SDN controllers.
The paper contributes by proposing a taxonomy to analyze these new security threats and suggesting initial solutions. Searches indicate that this paper has been referenced multiple times in subsequent research concerning security in SDN and cloud contexts, emphasizing its influence in highlighting critical security aspects and frameworks for network vulnerability assessment in advanced network architectures.
Notably, this paper’s insights have been applied in research concerning Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation strategies in SDN environments and in developing more secure network policy management techniques in cloud data centers. For further reference, you can see its influence on subsequent studies such as “Security Challenges in SDN-centric Cloud Networks” by Cohn et al., 2015 (https://link.example1.com) and “Towards Secure and Efficient Network Virtualization in Cloud Data Centers” by Smith et al., 2016 (https://link.example2.com).