What is typically a characteristic of an SDN Overlay?

An SDN (Software-Defined Networking) overlay is characterized by the creation of transparent virtual networks, which allows for the abstraction of physical network hardware from the services that run on top of it. This abstraction enables the formation of virtual networks, where layers of logic can be applied over the existing physical infrastructure without impacting its core operations.

Transparent virtual networks facilitate the deployment of applications and services independently of the underlying physical network resources, which promotes flexibility and scalability. The management of these virtual networks can be done programmatically through a centralized controller that communicates with the underlying infrastructure abstractly, leading to improved automation and operational efficiency.

This unique feature of transparently managing multiple logical networks over a shared physical infrastructure is what sets SDN overlays apart from traditional networking methodologies. In contrast, direct access to physical hardware, increased complexity in network configurations, and the exclusive use of traditional networking protocols do not align with the core principles of SDN overlays.