Introduction to SDN and OpenFlow

Posted on: 13th April 2026

Instructor: N/A • Language: N/A

Understand SDN, OpenFlow, and NFV concepts with real world examples and practical demonstrations of controller and switch interactions.

Description

If you are a network engineer hearing about SDN and OpenFlow but wondering if it is actually real or just vendor hype, this course cuts through the confusion with clear explanations and real world examples. It covers different visions of SDN, how OpenFlow separates control and data planes, NFV concepts, and includes practical demonstrations of applications communicating with an SDN controller.

This Course Offers

  • A Clear Conceptual Framework: You will learn the different visions of what SDN actually is, differentiate between Open SDN, SDN via APIs, NFV, and other related concepts.
  • Hands On Understanding of OpenFlow: The course explains how flow tables are updated and how OpenFlow separates the control and data planes of networking devices.
  • Real World, Practical Examples: You will see real world implementations of SDN in very large networks as well as highly secure networks, plus a practical demonstration of an application communicating with an SDN controller and Open vSwitch devices.
  • A Complete SDN Architecture View: You will see the full SDN architecture including SDN applications, the SDN controller, and OpenFlow switches, plus see how hosts can be blocked using OpenFlow rules.

Why We Love This Course

  1. It is taught by a highly rated instructor. David Bombal has an excellent reputation in the networking community, and this course has over 59,000 students with a 4.6 star rating from more than 6,000 reviews.
  2. It answers the critical question: Is SDN real? Instead of just abstract theory, the course addresses the practical reality of SDN and shows you real world implementations.
  3. It includes practical demonstrations. You will see an actual application communicating with an SDN controller and Open vSwitch devices, plus a demonstration of blocking hosts using OpenFlow rules.
  4. It is free. You can learn the fundamentals of SDN and OpenFlow from a top instructor without any financial commitment.

If you are a network engineer who wants to understand the fundamentals of SDN, OpenFlow, and NFV, this free, highly rated course provides an excellent conceptual and practical introduction. Note that the course was last updated in 2017, so the specific tools and examples may not reflect the very latest developments in the field.

Course Eligibility

  • Network engineers wanting to learn about SDN and OpenFlow, including what is real versus vendor hype.
  • Students and professionals looking to understand the separation of control and data planes in modern networking.
  • Anyone curious about how SDN is implemented in very large networks and highly secure environments.
  • Learners who prefer a free, high quality introduction from a top rated instructor before committing to more advanced or expensive courses.

 

Course Requirements

  • This is an introductory course; no preexisting knowledge of SDN or OpenFlow is required.
  • A basic understanding of networking concepts is helpful but not mandatory.
  • A willingness to learn through conceptual explanations and practical demonstrations is essential.

Interested in exploring more business lessons? Check out our full course library to continue building your skills and advancing your learning journey.

Price: Free

Introduction to SDN and OpenFlow | Job Dockets