Energy-efficient Techniques in SDN: Software, Hardware, and Hybrid Approaches.

In recent times, software-defined networking (SDN) has garnered significant attention due to its approach of separating the control plane from the data plane. This abstraction allows managers to have a centralized perspective on the network, which in turn enables them to control traffic flow and routing policies dynamically without configuring individual devices. The increased adoption of SDN has resulted in the need to optimize energy consumption without compromising network performance. Creating an energy-efficient solution presents a challenge due to the intricate process of finding the right equilibrium between network performance and energy conservation. This article examines various techniques for achieving energy efficiency in SDN and classifies them into three categories - software-based, hardware-based, and hybrid approach. These categories are further divided into their subcategory. Furthermore, a comprehensive exploration will be conducted to delve into the benefits and drawbacks of each energy efficiency approach, followed by an in-depth comparative analysis. The article also discusses the research issues and challenges associated with each technique. Finally, the paper provides future prospects for investigating energy efficiency approaches in SDN, which are expected to yield substantial benefits for upcoming researchers in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]