AI-enabled Cloud SDN Controllers: Architecture, Scalability, and Security – A Comparative Study

This article investigates the applicability and advantages of deploying a software-defined networking (SDN) controller within a cloud infrastructure. The study begins by analyzing the architectural differences between on-premises SDN controllers and cloud-based implementations, including monolithic, microservice, and hybrid edge-cloud approaches. The motivation is driven by the need to address modern network challenges such as dynamic scalability, efficient control over geographically distributed systems, and the integration of advanced automation tools. Cloud-based SDN controllers offer more convenient maintenance and seamless integration with external services, including telemetry, monitoring, and DevOps pipelines, than their locally deployed counterparts. However, they also introduce latency concerns and potential risks related to data confidentiality, which must be mitigated through encryption and secure communication protocols. The article emphasizes the integration of artificial Intelligence (AI) into the control plane. AI-powered modules enable the prediction of traffic patterns, detection of network anomalies, dynamic adjustment of routing policies, and overall improvement in quality of service. Examples from recent research, including implementations such as TeraFlowSDN, demonstrate the viability of embedding machine learning components within cloud-hosted controllers to enhance their decision-making capabilities. Comparative evaluation demonstrates that cloud deployment is preferable in contexts such as IoT-oriented systems or rapidly evolving network infrastructures. Properly designed, cloud-based SDN controllers can deliver performance levels comparable to traditional systems while offering greater flexibility for future development and integration with intelligent network services.