Deploying SDN in OT Environments

In today’s industrial landscape, Operational Technology (OT) networks are becoming increasingly complex. Traditional networking solutions, designed for enterprise environments, often struggle to meet the specific needs of OT, which requires high reliability, flexibility, and security. Enter Software Defined Networking (SDN), a game-changing technology that simplifies network management while enhancing security and efficiency. Let’s explore how OT-SDN is revolutionizing networks and the challenges it addresses along the way.

The Challenges of Traditional OT Networks

Traditional OT networks, especially in industrial settings, face challenges. Network design is complex, requiring careful planning around topologies, VLANs, and IGMP. Systems in OT environments often rely on outdated technologies, such as Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), or Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), which can limit network flexibility. These networks also face difficulties in integrating legacy systems, where multiple layers of segmentation using VLANs can create bottlenecks and inefficiencies. In OT environments, network downtime or improper configurations can cause operational disruptions, leading to costly outages. Managing these traditional networks is labor-intensive and requires constant updates to keep track of configurations and ensure security.

The Benefits of SDN in OT Network Design

Software Defined Networking (SDN) proposes a paradigm shift to addressing the complexities of traditional OT networks. Unlike traditional networks, OT-SDN decouples the control plane from the data plane, allowing network administrators to manage the entire network from a centralized controller. This brings immense benefits to OT environments – here are our top 3:

• Simplified Topologies: OT-SDN eliminates the need for complex, layered topologies. Any topology, even flat or mesh networks, can be easily designed and managed, significantly reducing the need for manual configuration.
• No More VLANs: With OT-SDN, there is no need for traditional VLAN segmentation. The network becomes micro-segmented and easier to manage with policy-based control. This reduces overhead and potential configuration errors.
• Vendor Flexibility: OT-SDN is vendor-agnostic, meaning that if switches support the SDN standard, you have flexibility in selecting hardware vendors. This provides cost savings and flexibility in infrastructure upgrades.

SDN Deployment in OT Environments

Deploying SDN in OT environments presents different considerations compared to cloud or enterprise networks. Deployment at OEM facilities often require relaxed policies due to constant equipment changes. However, when that same equipment is deployed in an end-user facility, these policies must be re-evaluated for security. The OT-SDN controller plays a key role in managing these transitions. It ensures that any new switches or devices are automatically integrated into the network without the need for extensive reconfiguration. OT-SDN allows the network to learn traffic patterns and generate appropriate flows, simplifying deployment across multiple environments.

Managing OT Networks with SDN

Traditional OT network management requires extensive monitoring and manual updates across a multitude of switches. With SDN, network management becomes significantly easier and more efficient for the following reasons:

• Centralized Control: Using the SDN controller, administrators can make changes from a single interface. This eliminates the need to update configurations across individual switches.
• Real-Time Asset Inventory: Knowing what’s on the network and where devices are located becomes much simpler with OT-SDN.
• Policy-based Management: Instead of relying on switch configurations, SDN allows network administrators to apply policies directly to devices. This device-centric approach aligns more closely with how OT staff think and operate.

Securing OT Networks with SDN

Security in OT networks is a top concern, particularly when dealing with third-party vendors or sensitive operational data. OT-SDN enhances network security in several ways. Through access control, SDN enables policy-based rules about which devices can communicate and what protocols they can use. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access to critical systems. OT-SDN also uses real-time alerts to make known any unauthorized devices or new protocols appearing on the network, allowing for faster responses to potential threats.

SDN is the future of OT networking. While Software Defined Networking is not a one-size-fits-all solution, its benefits in simplifying network management, improving security, and enhancing flexibility make it a strong contender for modernizing OT environments. By leveraging OT-SDN, industrial operations can achieve more reliable, efficient, and secure networks, positioning themselves for future growth and technological advancements.

To learn more about how Veracity is using OT-SDN, visit our product page.