Comparative Analysis of Software-Defined Networking and Intent-Based Networking

With the continuous advancement of networking technologies, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Intent-Based Networking (IBN) have emerged as prominent paradigms in contemporary network management. SDN offers centralized control of network resources by separating the control plane from the data plane, whereas IBN emphasizes automation by converting high-level business intents into specific network configurations. This research provides a comparative evaluation of SDN and IBN, emphasizing their respective architectures, operational approaches, benefits, limitations, and practical applications. Furthermore, the study explores how both paradigms enhance network agility, security, and efficiency, while examining their potential convergence within future network infrastructures.