Basically, it's an ability to dynamically define the control plane of your network. To a certain extent, this is also re-writing aspects of network protocols at

Basically, it's an ability to dynamically define the control plane of your network. To a certain extent, this is also re-writing aspects of network protocols at a whim, perhaps based on the contents of a packet. Here's an oldish video that I found helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHeyuD89n1Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHeyuD89n1Y In a sense, it's a buzzword, because it is the natural progression of periodically running scripts that dynamically test your network and shape iptables rules accordingly.