"Software Defined Networks" discusses the historical networking environment that gave rise to SDN, as well as the latest advances in SDN technology. The book gives you the state of the art knowledge needed for successful deployment of an SDN, including: How to explain to the non-technical business decision makers in your organization the potential benefits, as well as the risks, in shifting parts of a network to the SDN modelHow to make intelligent decisions about when to integrate SDN technologies in a networkHow to decide if your organization should be developing its own SDN applications or looking to acquire these from an outside vendorHow to accelerate the ability to develop your own SDN application, be it entirely novel or a more efficient approach to a long-standing problem
Discusses the evolution of the switch platforms that enable SDN Addresses when to integrate SDN technologies in a networkProvides an overview of sample SDN applications relevant to different industriesIncludes practical examples of how to write SDN applications

Software Defined Networks: A Comprehensive Approach, Second Edition provides in-depth coverage of the technologies collectively known as Software Defined Networking (SDN). The book shows how to explain to business decision-makers the benefits and risks in shifting parts of a network to the SDN model, when to integrate SDN technologies in a network, and how to develop or acquire SDN applications. In addition, the book emphasizes the parts of the technology that encourage opening up the network, providing treatment for alternative approaches to SDN that expand the definition of SDN as networking vendors adopt traits of SDN to their existing solutions. Since the first edition was published, the SDN market has matured, and is being gradually integrated and morphed into something more compatible with mainstream networking vendors. This book reflects these changes, with coverage of the OpenDaylight controller and its support for multiple southbound protocols, the Inclusion of NETCONF in discussions on controllers and devices, expanded coverage of NFV, and updated coverage of the latest approved version (1.5.1) of the OpenFlow specification.

A Riveting Medieval Parallel to the Bible
Good and evil clash. Leinad and Cedric are determined to not only survive, but claim hope and victory In "Kingdom's Dawn," Leinad and Tess, along with all the king's people, must escape slavery by the powerful Lord Fairos. "Kingdom's Hope" finds them free and arriving in the Chessington Valley . But when they forget the king, will Kergon and the Kessons capture them for good? After many years, "Kingdom's Edge" finds Cedric living a hopeless life until a stranger appears with powerful words of a new kingdom and a grand army. Finally, "Kingdom's Reign" marches you through the danger of earth's last days as the evil dark knight threatens to defeat the prince once and for all. Swords, knights, and battles define these captivating tales that parallel biblical events from Genesis to Revelation
"He was doomed to a life of hopelessness and despair. "
"Then the stranger arrived... "
For Cedric of Chessington, every day is the same: full of poverty and despair. And he knows that will never change.
Or so he thinks.
Then a stranger comes to the city. Drawn to the man's mysterious ways, Cedric discovers the stranger's humility belies great strength and wisdom. That's when an astounding truth becomes clear--the stranger is a Master of the Sword, and He is there to train Cedric.
Suddenly propelled into a desperate battle against evil, Cedric must rely on the Master's training if he is going to survive. But the ultimate battle is yet to come, for the Dark Knight is at work, implementing his plan to take over the kingdom. Will Cedric be ready to stand in the face of pure evil?
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil; and where hope and compassion are as powerful weapons as the sword.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDED
Story Behind the Book
"When my six kids' eyes glossed over during a reading from the Bible, I paused to explain the significance of redemption to a sin-sick soul. I was rewarded with patronizing elephant nods and more blank stares. Shortly thereafter, I awoke in the middle of the night with a medieval story enveloping my mind. I wrote it down and later read it to my children. Their waning attention transformed into complete anticipation. I was amazed and disappointed. Why did it take a fictional story, not a Bible passage, to get that response? Then I realized--that is how Jesus taught Parables are powerful I penned the Kingdom series to help young people get excited about the supremely significant story of Jesus Christ and His mission to save mankind."
-- Chuck Black

A Riveting Medieval Parallel to the Bible
Good and evil clash. Leinad and Cedric are determined to not only survive, but claim hope and victory In "Kingdom's Dawn," Leinad and Tess, along with all the king's people, must escape slavery by the powerful Lord Fairos. "Kingdom's Hope" finds them free and arriving in the Chessington Valley . But when they forget the king, will Kergon and the Kessons capture them for good? After many years, "Kingdom's Edge" finds Cedric living a hopeless life until a stranger appears with powerful words of a new kingdom and a grand army. Finally, "Kingdom's Reign" marches you through the danger of earth's last days as the evil dark knight threatens to defeat the prince once and for all. Swords, knights, and battles define these captivating tales that parallel biblical events from Genesis to Revelation
"Fierce castle lords hold the kingdom hostage. "
"But a champion is coming... "
Fairos thought he had sentenced Leinad to death in the Banteen desert. But he was wrong. Leinad survived. Now, trained by the King himself, Leinad returns--a true Knight of the King. His skill with the sword is unmatched this side of the Great Sea; his resolve is unshakeable. He is determined to fulfill the mission given him by the King and to free the people from their bondage to Lord Fairos.
Leinad's quest takes him from the chains of slavery, near the jaws of dragons, and close to the arms of love. And when the rest of the kingdom turns away from the King and the Code, Leinad turns to his most faithful ally, Tess. With her help, Leinad struggles to conquer his own doubt. But he must do so soon, for the King's archenemy, the Dark Knight, is about to unleash his entire evil force, and only Leinad can stop them...
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil; where the future of the kingdom is at the threshold of either victory or defeat--and one man holds the key.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDED
Story Behind the Book
"When my six kids' eyes glossed over during a reading from the Bible, I paused to explain the significance of redemption to a sin-sick soul. I was rewarded with patronizing elephant nods and more blank stares. Shortly thereafter, I awoke in the middle of the night with a medieval story enveloping my mind. I wrote it down and later read it to my children. Their waning attention transformed into complete anticipation. I was amazed and disappointed. Why did it take a fictional story, not a Bible passage, to get that response? Then I realized--that is how Jesus taught Parables are powerful I penned the Kingdom series to help young people get excited about the supremely significant story of Jesus Christ and His mission to save mankind."
--Chuck Black

A dangerous new order threatens the mission of the Knights of Arrethtrae. Only loyalty to the King can bring victory
As the Knights of the Prince await His triumphant return, they are steadfast in their mission to take His story into the kingdom and recruit as many as are willing. But when a new and dangerous threat is revealed, their mission is jeopardized.
Sir Kendrick and his young charge, the impetuous Sir Duncan, are sent on a mission to discover the identity and origin of a secretive new order known as the Conquistero Knights. They travel to the city of Bel Lione where Lord Ra has been enticing young people in the kingdom to join his festivals, after which many choose not to return home. Their families keep quiet for fear of repercussion.
When Sir Duncan disappears while trying to discover the truth of Lord Ra's castle, Sir Kendrick attempts to find and enlist the help of a mysterious warrior. Time is short for he must save Duncan and call upon the knights of Chessington to join in the battle against the evil Lord Ra.
Journey to Arrethtrae, where these knights of noble heart live and die in loyal service to the King and the Prince. These knights are mighty, for they serve a mighty King. They are...the Knights of Arrethtrae

"A sworn enemy of the Prince vows to eliminate his Followers.
Until the Prince saves his life...
"
For generations the Noble Knights have been in service to the King. Following a strict code of conduct, they preserve the peace in Chessington, the King's chosen city, and rule its citizenry. Sir Gavin is a young and promising Noble Knight, devoted to King and Code.
Then a peasant disrupts the tranquility of Chessington, brazenly challenging the Code while claiming to be the son of the King-a Prince. When it is learned that he is actively training a force of men in defiance of the law, the stranger is arrested and executed.
But his Followers continue to defy the Code, and Sir Gavin swears to destroy this threat to Chessington-until he himself is grievously wounded in battle. As he faces his own death, Gavin is saved by someone who will transform his heart and change his life...
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil-and one brave man stands against the Dark Knight.

"An evil army masses against the Knights of the Prince, and they are outnumbered.
Only the King can save them...
"
While the Knights of the Prince train in the Kingdom Across the Sea, the Dark Knight, Lucius, reigns in Arrethtrae with complete authority. But when a small group of loyalists swears allegiance to the King, the Prince returns, and in a mighty battle, Lucius and the Shadow Warriors are vanquished and imprisoned in the Wasteland.
Peace and prosperity renew the land, and the Prince rules from the royal city of Chessington. While the heroic Cedric travels as ambassador, he sees that every corner of Arrethtrae reaps the benefits of prosperity brought to the land by the Prince's reign.
But not everyone will swear allegiance to the King, and it seems this paradise may be lost yet again because of the pride and greed of evil men who plot to free the Dark Knight and his minions. Cedric rides desperately to bring the news before it's too late...
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil-where the King reigns...along with His Son!

"He was called to fulfill a mighty quest, filled with fierce battles.
A quest to bring hope to the kingdom...
"
Having narrowly escaped death at the hands of the evil Shadow Warriors, Sir Gavin is given a new name by the Prince to signify his new allegiance-to the cause of the one he once swore to kill. Called to share this message to everyone in the land of Arrethtrae, Sir Gavinaugh takes up his sword and embarks on an epic journey.
Winning hearts and minds with the power of his words and his skill with a sword, Gavinaugh travels from one end of the kingdom to the other, telling Outdwellers about the Prince, convincing them to join him. And though Gavinaugh is at times beaten, thrown in prison, or stranded far from home, the Prince himself guides his words, his sword, and his pilgrimage.
Journey to Arrethtrae, where the King and His Son implement a bold plan to save their kingdom; where courage, faith, and loyalty stand tall in the face of opposition; where good will not bow to evil-and the Prince's chosen messenger speaks boldly of his quest.

Drew is caught in a world of light - just inches away from the dark

What if...there was a world beyond our vision, a world just fingertips beyond our reach? What if...our world wasn't beyond their influence?

Tragedy and heartache seem to be waiting for Drew Carter at every turn, but college offers Drew a chance to start over--until an accident during a physics experiment leaves him blind and his genius friend, Benjamin Berg, missing.

As his sight miraculously returns, Drew discovers that the accident has heightened his neuron activity, giving him skills and sight beyond the normal man. When he begins to observe fierce invaders that no one else can see, he questions his own sanity, and so do others. But is he insane or do the invaders truly exist?

With help from Sydney Carlyle, a mysterious and elusive girl who offers encouragement through her faith, Drew searches for his missing friend, Ben, who seems to hold the key to unlocking this mystery. As the dark invaders close in, will he find the truth in time?