What Does Application-Aware Networking Mean?
Application-aware networking is a type of intelligent network that is able to monitor software applications used within the network to help provide better functionality and more efficient use. Elements of application-aware networking may include observation of the use status of a software provision, as well as monitoring of its memory or resource needs.
Techopedia Explains Application-Aware Networking
Application-aware networking relies on a network architecture laid out by the International Telecommunications Union. An intelligent network has specific enhanced features designed to provide in-depth functionality. Like other aspects of intelligent networking, application-aware networking relies on a solution that uses various layers, or planes, to control network traffic. The principle behind application-aware networking is called software-defined networking (SDN). The idea is that modern networks contain three different planes:
- The data plane that carries information about traffic.
- The control plane
- The management plane
While in some cases the management plane and control plane are considered to be two parts of the same thing, a software-defined networking plan treats these very differently by keeping the management plane connected to network hardware, but making the control plane a software-driven layer. Moving the control plane from a network hardware connection to a software connection can help planners do more with software programs, including promoting application-aware networking and building meta-level solutions for handling traffic.
In describing new application-aware networks, solutions experts sometimes refer to the traditional architecture of old networks as a somewhat closed process. Application-aware networks involve a more transparent process that offers more information on how software applications work within a network. Some also believe that the emergence of cloud-hosted systems and other new technological advances will drive the creation of more application-aware networks that will do more to understand the role of software processes as well as other dynamics like specific user information.
