In the realm of network management, two key components play a pivotal role in how data is handled – the Control Plane and the Data Plane. These two entities, while working in tandem, perform distinct functions that are integral to the smooth operation of a network. This article delves into the roles of the Control Plane and Data Plane, their differences, and their impact on an Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) environment.
What Is a Control Plane?
The Control Plane is a crucial component of a network, tasked with making decisions on how data should be managed, routed, and processed. It acts as a supervisor of data, coordinating communication between different components and collecting data from the Data Plane.
Control Planes utilize various protocols, such as:
- Routing protocols (like BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS)
- Network management protocols (SNMP)
- Application layer protocols (HTTP and FTP)
These protocols often employ software-defined networking (SDN) to create virtual networks and manage their traffic. Virtual networks, facilitated by SDN, are instrumental in managing data traffic at an enterprise level. They enable organizations to:
- Segment traffic
- Prioritize important data flows
- Isolate traffic from different parts of the network
What Is a Data Plane?
While the Control Plane supervises and directs, the Data Plane is responsible for the actual movement of data from one system to another. It is the workhorse that delivers data to end users from systems and vice versa.
Some examples of data planes include:
- Ethernet networks
- Wi-Fi networks
- Cellular networks
- Satellite communications
Data planes can also include virtualized networks, like those created using virtual private networks (VPNs) or software-defined networks (SDNs). Additionally, data planes can include dedicated networks, like the Internet of Things (IoT) or industrial control systems.
Data planes allow organizations to quickly and securely transfer data between systems. For example, a data plane can enable the transfer of data between a cloud-based application and a local system. This functionality can be beneficial for organizations that need to access data from multiple systems or that need to quickly transfer large amounts of data.
By using dedicated networks, organizations can keep data secure through encryption, dedicated networks, and access monitoring to prevent unauthorized access of data.
Data Plane vs. Control Plane: What Are the Key Differences?
The main differences between control and data planes are their purpose and how they communicate between different systems. The control plane decides how data is managed, routed, and processed, while the data plane is responsible for the actual moving of data. For example, the control plane decides how packets should be routed, and the data plane carries out those instructions by forwarding the packets.
Along with doing different jobs, control planes and data planes exist in different areas. While the control plane runs in the cloud, the data plane runs in the data processing area.
They also use different functions to do their jobs. Control planes use protocols to communicate between different systems, mostly common routing protocols like BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS or network management protocols like SNMP. These protocols enable the control plane to make decisions on how data should be managed, routed, and processed.
Data planes use dedicated networks to communicate between different systems. Examples of dedicated networks used in data planes include Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks, cellular networks, satellite communications, virtualized networks, and dedicated networks used in industrial control systems or IoT. These networks enable the data plane to deliver data to end users from systems and vice versa.
While both the Control Plane and Data Plane are integral to network management, they perform distinct roles. The table below outlines some of the key differences between the two:
|
Control Plane |
Data Plane |
|
Determines how data should be managed, routed, and processed |
Responsible for moving packets from source to destination |
|
Builds and maintains the IP routing table |
Forwards actual IP packets based on the Control Plane’s logic |
|
Packets are processed by the router to update the routing table |
Forwards packets based on the built logic of the Control Plane |
How Do Control Planes and Data Planes Work with an iPaaS?
An iPaaS is a platform that connects disparate systems — collecting and analyzing data in real-time and then publishing that data to different applications. Control and data planes are essential components of an iPaaS environment, directing and managing the flow of data.
By using an iPaaS, organizations can create secure networks using data planes to protect data. iPaaS can also be used to monitor and analyze data traffic, providing organizations with the insights they need to improve control plane functionality and make informed decisions about their data pipeline.
An iPaaS can also enable organizations to segment data traffic, prioritize important data flows, and isolate traffic from different parts of the network — all important for control and data plane effectiveness. Additionally, an iPaaS can help organizations maintain the security of their data pipeline by preventing unauthorized access and encrypting data in transit.
Organizations can also use an iPaaS to quickly and securely transfer data between systems. For example, an iPaaS can enable the transfer of data between a cloud-based application and a local system. This can be beneficial for organizations that need to access data from multiple systems or that need to quickly transfer large amounts of data.
By using an iPaaS, organizations can keep data secure and always accessible.
Choosing an iPaaS
When selecting an iPaaS, it’s important to consider the security and reliability of the platform.
Look for an iPaaS that provides enterprise-grade security and reliability, as this will help keep data secure and available. Enterprise-grade security refers to the measures taken to protect data from unauthorized access, such as encrypting data in transit, using secure protocols, and setting up firewalls. Enterprise-grade reliability refers to the ability of the platform to provide consistent performance and uptime, even in the face of unexpected events.
Additionally, it’s important to choose an iPaaS that is easy to use and manage, as this will enable you to quickly and easily gain control over your data pipelines. Finally, make sure to select an iPaaS that offers features like the segmentation of traffic, priority of data flows, and isolation of traffic from different parts of the network. This will help you keep your data secure and reliable.
SnapLogic’s iPaaS platform provides enterprise-grade security and reliability, enabling organizations to gain control over their data pipelines. To learn more, check out our eBook 3 Must-Have Qualities in an Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS).
