The Ultimate Guide to Software-defined Networking

2026 · Australian Edition

Also known as SDN.

Software-defined Networking (SDN) represents a transformative approach to managing and operating computer networks by decoupling the control plane from the data plane, enabling centralized and programmable network control through software applications.

Recent developments in SDN highlight its expanding role across various sectors, including education, telecommunications, enterprise, and cloud environments. Partnerships between major vendors like Cisco, Ericsson, Brocade, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise underscore the collaborative push to enhance network flexibility, automation, and security through SDN and related technologies like Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN).

Readers exploring this section will gain insights into how SDN drives cloud migration strategies, supports mobile-first networking, and revolutionizes WAN architectures to accommodate 5G, IoT, and distributed workforces. Emphasis on integration with security frameworks and AI-driven network automation also reveals the evolving landscape of network management.

Whether you are an IT professional seeking to understand how SDN can reduce costs and increase agility, a business leader aiming to future-proof your network infrastructure, or a technology enthusiast interested in the latest innovations and market trends, this collection of stories will keep you informed about the state and direction of software-defined networking.

Australian Software-defined Networking news
Analyst Insights
Zenarmor debuts distributed SASE channel partner push
Enterprise Management Associates · SDN · Firewalls
Thu, 26th Feb 2026
Cato Networks' ARR surges past USD $350m amid SASE boom
Gartner · SDN · Firewalls
Wed, 25th Feb 2026
NETSCOUT boosts 5G slicing visibility for operators
ABI Research · SDN · UC
Wed, 21st Jan 2026
Fortinet reports strong Q3 revenue growth & SASE adoption surge
Gartner · SDN · Firewalls
Fri, 7th Nov 2025
Macquarie Telecom, Netskope unite to boost AI security in Australia
Gartner · SDN · Firewalls
Wed, 1st Oct 2025
Expert columns
How Apograph uses proactive firewall upgrades to protect clients and control costs
By Gaëlle Perrin of SonicWall
Last week
Why businesses need wired, wireless, and power-over-ethernet (PoE) firewalls
By Leelin Thye of SonicWall
Last month
Beyond infrastructure: Reimagining networks to drive real business impact
By Cindy Lee of Lumen Technologies
Last month
SD-WAN is the SASE foundation enterprises can't ignore
By Cornelius Mare of Fortinet Australia
Wed, 18th Feb 2026
Everyone's talking about SASE. Few understand what it really takes
By Craig Taylor of Vectec
Fri, 21st Nov 2025
5 lessons Australian IT leaders should take from Cisco Live Melbourne 2025
By Rodney Kinchington of BT International
Thu, 20th Nov 2025
Why Australia's AI ambitions depend on smarter networks
By Ankur Jain of BT International
Mon, 17th Nov 2025
Why 'Good Enough' networks are failing AI ambitions
By Kerrick Lehman of British Telecom
Thu, 24th Jul 2025
Five use cases that justify ditching VPNs for good
By Tony Burnside of Netskope
Thu, 10th Jul 2025
Is your NaaS future-proof? Creating Infrastructure foundations for a scalable future
By Ankur Jain of BT International
Fri, 20th Jun 2025
Is Fixed Wireless Access the next big thing?
By Tim Evans of Ericsson
Mon, 19th May 2025
The network of tomorrow begins with the innovation of today
By Anthony Behan of Cloudera
Wed, 14th May 2025
Interviews
Exclusive: HPE Networking advances 'self-driving' networks
Discussing Firewalls
Fri, 13th Feb 2026
Exclusive: VyOS Networks on why enterprise networks need a unified OS layer
Discussing Virtualisation
Tue, 16th Dec 2025
Exclusive: VyOS Networks CRO on why networks are becoming software
Discussing Trends & Predictions
Wed, 8th Oct 2025
Recent news
Equinix launches Fabric Intelligence for AI networks
About Unified Communications
Yesterday
Equinix launches Fabric Intelligence for AI networking
About Unified Communications
3 days ago
Aria launches Deep Networking platform with USD $125 million
About Ethernet
Last week
AEM Networks rebrands amid growing AI testing demands
About Software Updates
This month
Macquarie wins Netskope APJ managed services award
About Data Protection
This month
Cato lets customers buy modular SASE security tools
About Firewalls
Last month
KBRO expands Taiwan broadband with Harmonic fibre-on-demand
About Unified Communications
Last month
Tata Communications launches resilient data centre service
About Cloud Services
Last month
Good Drinks signs Macquarie network deal to cut outages
About Storage
Last month
Netos & Nebula launch global FinOps push for networks
About Firewalls
Last month
Tech Mahindra, Fortinet launch unified managed SASE
About Firewalls
Last month
Cisco and Nvidia unveil new secure AI edge framework
About Network Infrastructure
Last month
Virtualplatform extends orchestration for SD-WAN underlay
About Unified Communications
Last month
Contrivian to resell Amazon Leo for US gov networks
About Cloud Services
Last month
Equinix unveils global distributed AI hub & fabric
About Network Infrastructure
Last month
Job moves
Forward Edge-AI appoints Alan R Seid to drive global sales
Move at Forward Edge AI
Tue, 27th Jan 2026
Luke Clifton joins ATA Board as alliance shifts focus to leaders
Move at Australian Telecommunications Alliance
Thu, 27th Nov 2025
Expereo appoints Noel Hamill as Chief Marketing Officer to lead growth
Move at Expereo
Fri, 7th Nov 2025
Macquarie Telecom appoints Mike King to drive sales growth
Move at Optus
Wed, 24th Sep 2025
Accenture appoints Pietro Mangione to lead Asia Pacific networks
Move at Accenture
Thu, 15th May 2025
Kyocera Australia becomes second Platinum Partner of WatchGuard Technologies
Move at WatchGuard Technologies
Wed, 20th Mar 2024
MEF appoints Kelly Ahuja, Kailem Anderson & Ari Banerjee as senior executives
Move at Metro Ethernet Forum
Fri, 6th May 2022
Cambium Networks appoints Mary Peterson as SVP & CMO
Move at Cambium Networks
Mon, 16th Dec 2019
Ingram NZ's new network solutions business unit
Move at Ingram Micro
Mon, 2nd Jul 2018
Ex-Telstra talent to lead Superloop after CEO Bevan Slattery steps down
Move at Megaport
Mon, 26th Mar 2018
Top players
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