Designing SDN infrastructure for an e-learning cloud

Abstract

In this paper we present a model of software defined network infrastructure for an e-learning cloud. The goal of the model was to design a reliable, resilient and scalable infrastructure, that was capable to support dynamic flexibility required for emerging types of applications, advanced e-learning applications and services, as well as to foster increasing speed of data flow. Specifically, the infrastructure should support the education in the fields of modern information and communication technologies, such as cloud computing, enterprise networking, mobile computing, and big data. The Software defined networks (SDN) infrastructure was based on Open Stack cloud management system. Networking as a service was implemented through integration of Neutron, Open Daylight and Open vSwitch solutions. This concept allows intensive collaboration and exchanging data and information with other universities and industry. The evaluation was conducted within the course Cloud infrastructure and services, at Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, where students learnt to design and deploy software defined networking infrastructure for an enterprise. The results showed that the designed infrastructure can effectively support the learning process. In addition, performance of the e-learning infrastructure was analyzed and discussed.