Omada SDN Controller User Guide

1. Omada SDN Controller Solution Overview

Omada SDN Controller Solution offers centralized and efficient management for configuring enterprise networks comprised of security gateways, switches, and wireless access points.

With a reliable network management platform powered by TP-Link Omada SDN Controller, you can develop comprehensive, software-defined networking across demanding, high-traffic environments with robust wired and wireless solutions.

The chapter includes the following sections:

�? 1. 1 Overview of Omada SDN Controller Solution

�? 1. 2 Core Components

1. 1 Overview of Omada SDN Controller Solution

Omada SDN Controller Solution is designed to provide business-class networking solutions for demanding, high-traffic environments such as campuses, hotels, malls, and offices. Omada SDN Controller Solution simplifies deploying and managing large-scale enterprise networks and offers easy maintenance, ongoing monitoring, and flexible scalability.

This figure shows a sample architeture of an Omada SDN enterprise network:

The interconnected elements that work together to deliver a unified enterprise network include: Omada SDN Controller, gateways, switches, access points, and client devices. Beginning with a base of client devices, each element adds functionality and complexity as the network is developing, interconnecting with the elements above and below it to create a comprehensive, secure wired and wireless solution.

Omada SDN Controller is a command center and management platform at the heart of the Omada network. With a single platform, the network administrators configure and manage enterprise networks comprised of routers, switches, and wireless access points in batches. This unleashes new levels of management to avoid complex and costly overprovisioning.

1. 2 Core Components

An Omada SDN network consists of the following core components:

�? Omada SDN Controller—a command center and management platform at the heart of Omada network solution for the enterprise. With a single platform, the network administrators configure and manage all Omada products which have all your needs covered in terms of routing, switching and Wi-Fi.

�? Gateways—boast excellent data processing capabilities and an array of powerful functions, including IPsec/OpenVPN/PPTP/L2TP VPN, Load Balance, and Bandwidth Control, which are ideal for the business network where a large number of users require a stable, secure connection.

�? Switches—offer flexible and cost-effective network solution with powerful Layer 2 features and PoE options. Advanced features such as Access Control, QoS, LAG and Spanning Tree will satisfy advanced business networks.

�? Access Points (Omada EAPs)—satisfy the mainstream Wi-Fi Standard and address your high-density access needs with TP-Link’s innovation to help you build the versatile and reliable wireless network for all business applications.

Tailored to different needs and budgets, Omada SDN Controller offers diverse deployment solutions. Omada Software Controller, Omada Hardware Controller, and Omada Cloud-Based Controller, each have their own set of advantages and applications.

�? Omada Software Controller

Omada Software Controller is totally free, as well as all upgrades. The controller can be hosted on any computers with Windows or Linux systems on your network.

�? Omada Hardware Controller

Omada Hardware Controller is the management device which is pre-installed with Omada Software Controller. You just need to pay for the device, then the built-in Omada Controller software is free to use, no license fee or extra cost required. About the size of a mobile phone, the device is easy to deploy and install on your network.

�? Omada Cloud-Based Controller

Omada Cloud controller is deployed on the Omada Cloud server, providing paid license service with tiered pricing. With paid licienses bound to the devices on the controller, you can configure and manage the devices via Omada Cloud Service. And you need not purchase an additional hardware device or install the software on the host.

The controllers differ in forms, but they have almost the same browser–based management interface and serve the same functions of network management. In this guide, Omada Software Controller, Omada Hardware Controller, and Omada Cloud-Based Controller are referred to as the controller, unless we mention otherwise.

TP-Link’s Omada Router supports Gigabit Ethernet connections on both WAN and LAN ports which keep the data moving at top speed. Including all the routing and network segmentation functions that a business router must have, SafeStream VPN Router will be the backbone of the Omada SDN network. Moreover, the router provides a both secure and easy approach to deploy site-to-site VPN tunnels and access for remote clients.

Managing the gateway centrally through Omada SDN Controller is available on certain models only. Please check the Omada Cloud SDN Platform Compatibility List for more information.

TP-Link’s JetStream Switch provides high-performance and enterprise-level security strategies and a numble of advanced features, which is ideal access-edge for the Omada SDN network.

Managing the switch centrally through Omada SDN Controller is available on certain models only. Please check the Omada Cloud SDN Platform Compatibility List for more information.

TP-Link’s Omada Access Point provides business-class Wi-Fi with superior performance and range which guarantees reliable wireless connectivity for the Omada SDN network.

Managing the access points centrally through Omada SDN Controller is available on certain models only. Please check the Omada Cloud SDN Platform Compatibility List for more information.