Võrgukontroller

Võrgukontroller, also known as a network controller, is a hardware or software component responsible for managing and directing network traffic within a computer network. In its simplest form, it can be a dedicated device like a router or a switch that makes decisions about where data packets should be sent. In more complex systems, particularly in software-defined networking (SDN), a võrgukontroller is a centralized software application that has a global view of the network. This allows for dynamic configuration and management of network devices.

The primary function of a võrgukontroller is to ensure efficient and reliable communication between different nodes on the network. It achieves this by learning network topology, identifying available paths, and applying rules or policies to dictate data flow. For instance, when a data packet arrives, the controller analyzes its destination address and determines the optimal path for it to reach its target. This process is crucial for preventing network congestion and optimizing bandwidth utilization.

In modern networks, particularly those employing SDN principles, the võrgukontroller plays an even more vital role. Instead of individual network devices making independent forwarding decisions, the centralized controller dictates these actions. This abstraction allows for greater flexibility, programmability, and automation of network management tasks. Administrators can define network-wide policies and the controller translates them into specific instructions for the underlying hardware, enabling rapid deployment of new services and faster response to changing network conditions.