Astra Cloud Platform has introduced a software-defined networking (SDN) layer, designated as APOS, as part of its 2.1 release. This component enables centralized management of virtual networks, routing, NAT, DHCP, and external connectivity directly through the platform interface, replacing the previous manual configuration of virtual machines and physical hardware.
The SDN component supports multitenancy, allowing multiple tenants to operate on the same virtualization infrastructure with isolated network segments. Network resources are created within a tenant context, and access is controlled via a role-based model. Routing and switching are distributed across virtualization nodes, eliminating the need for separate network appliances for each segment.
The system supports static routing and dynamic BGP-based exchange with external infrastructure. It includes centralized diagnostic tools for path modeling and traffic mirroring for monitoring purposes. The control plane is decoupled from user traffic, ensuring that existing network configurations remain operational even if management components are temporarily unavailable.
Interaction with the SDN layer is facilitated through public REST APIs, allowing integration with external orchestrators, alongside dedicated WebUI and CLI tools for manual administration. Future development plans include the implementation of microsegmentation, security features, and support for containerized and physical workloads.
