SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- As the telecom industry takes its first steps toward Software Defined Networking, a new approach to network architecture, Verizon -- in collaboration with ADARA Networks, HP and Intel Corporation -- will demonstrate key aspects of SDN principles. The demonstration will take place at the second annual Open Networking Summit in Santa Clara, April 16–18.

SDN is a new network design concept that changes the way network traffic is managed by uncoupling from the physical hardware-based network elements the software that directs the traffic. Bypassing the traditional traffic-management rules -- especially within data centers – gives carriers more flexibility by providing the ability to choose, and quickly change, network-traffic routing to allow for optimum energy use, security, efficiency and reliability in the network. The result is an increased ability to quickly introduce new services and to adapt the network faster when service changes are required.

By installing a mechanism called OpenFlow on network equipment, more control is gained in the management of network traffic. OpenFlow is an industry-standard protocol that allows the SDN software to communicate with the underlying network switches and routers.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ)