Enhancing Virtual Network Performance Using Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

The need to have high-performance, scalable, and adaptable network infrastructures has been on the rise in recent years and as a result, virtual networks are prevalent in the data center, cloud computing environments, and enterprise systems environments. Nevertheless, due to the rigid and equipment-based control strategies, conventional network topologies are at times unable to keep up with the performance and flexibility requirements of these dynamic environments. To enhance the work of virtual networks, the given work examines the application of software-defined networking (SDN), a groundbreaking method that enables the centralized and programmable management of the network through the isolation of control and data planes. The two situations where performance measurements are systematically collected and analyzed include SDN-enabled network management and a traditional network operation without SDN. The results clearly indicate that SDN is of great use in increasing bandwidth usage, traffic flow optimization and dynamic routing adjustments especially in high load situations of failure. Also, the programmable character of SDN helps to achieve real-time network adjustment that reduces downtime and enhances quality of service (QoS). The research contribute to the body of knowledge by offering the empirical evidence of the SDN integration into the virtual network topologies. It also provides a platform on which the SDN based fixes may be applied on the performance snags in the existing systems. The results suggest that SDN is not only efficient in virtual networks but also preconditions the introduction of intelligent network automation, as a prelude to future developments, including the use of AI to orchestrate networks.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN),Virtual Network Optimization, Network Performance Metrics, Mininet Emulation ,OpenFlow Protocol ,SDN Controllers.

10.52113/2/12.02.2025/188-196