Verizon, Colt demonstrate inter-carrier SDN orchestration

Verizon and Colt reportedly demonstrated two-way, inter carrier Software Defined Networking (SDN) orchestration by making near real-time bandwidth changes in each other’s production networks. SDN is an architecture that has come to prominence as an effective way to steer network traffic. The technology involves controlling network behavior with application program interfaces (APIs), enabling network administrators to direct traffic flows from a centralized console and deliver services. According to a report by research firm IDC, the SDN market is expected to be worth about $12.5 billion in 2020. The demonstration took place at an event in London. According to the companies, this was the the first time two-way, SDN orchestration between carrier production networks has been demonstrated anywhere, and is an important step toward enabling real-time cross-carrier automation.