Current network devices make decisions per packet independently. OpenFlow-based architecture is different in two key aspects:
- Disintegrated architecture makes per-flow decision making much cheaper – per subscriber / flow optimizations and policies are less expensive in very high speeds
- Centralized traffic management decision enables new innovative services like per subscriber / flow services chains
Adoption of OpenFlow-based architecture is recommended in cases where advanced traffic steering capabilities are required. In all other cases migration from YANG-based to OpenFlow-based management might be considered as an option (for cost reduction, for example).