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Introduction To OpenFlow Protocol

The OpenFlow protocol allows centralized control of packet routing in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment. It separates the control plane of a network switch, which handles routing decisions, from the data plane that forwards packets. OpenFlow switches communicate with an external controller via the OpenFlow protocol to receive routing instructions. This gives the controller flexibility to optimize routes for different network needs and provides benefits like load balancing, traffic isolation, and easier service deployment compared to conventional networks.

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73 views

Introduction To OpenFlow Protocol

The OpenFlow protocol allows centralized control of packet routing in a software-defined networking (SDN) environment. It separates the control plane of a network switch, which handles routing decisions, from the data plane that forwards packets. OpenFlow switches communicate with an external controller via the OpenFlow protocol to receive routing instructions. This gives the controller flexibility to optimize routes for different network needs and provides benefits like load balancing, traffic isolation, and easier service deployment compared to conventional networks.

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Att Sam
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Introduction to OpenFlow Protocol

April 27, 2019/ By Abbas Ashrafi

The OpenFlow protocol allows servers to specify the packet transmission path for network

switches. In most of the conventional networks we deal with, each switch has its own software

that determines what action to take. Using the OpenFlow protocol, decisions about moving

packets to a centralized point can be programmed independently of each switch and device in the

data center.

What is OpenFlow Protocol and OpenFlow Switch?

OpenFlow is a programmable network protocol for the SDN environment, which is used to

communicate between OpenFlow switches and controllers. The OpenFlow protocol separates the

software and programmable part of network switches from their hardware. This protocol

provides a standard way to provide a centralized, programmable network that can adapt quickly

to network needs.
OpenFlow protocol

An OpenFlow switch is a switch that has the OpenFlow protocol enabled. This switch

communicates with the external controller through the channel that creates the OpenFlow. This

controller manages switches through the OpenFlow protocol. Generally, OpenFlow switches are

either built-in or only compatible with the OpenFlow protocol.

 
what is openflow switch

How does the OpenFlow switch work?

OpenFlow switches can continue to operate despite three elements: the flow tables on the

switches, the dedicated controller and the OpenFlow protocol for securely communicating

between the controller and the switches. Flow tables are set on switches. Controllers
communicate with switches using the OpenFlow protocol, thereby enforcing and managing

policies on streams. Controllers can configure and optimize routes that are optimized for specific

features (such as speed, minimum hop count, and minimum latency).

Difference between OpenFlow switch and regular switch

In conventional switches, sending data planes and higher level routing (control planes) are both

in one device. However, in OpenFlow switches the two are separated. In OpenFlow switches, the

Data plane section operates on the switch, and the control plane section separately and off-switch

decides the routing information. The switch and control plane communicate through the

OpenFlow protocol.

That's the way that SDNCalled 1 , it allows us to use resources more efficiently than conventional

networks. Due to the capability of SDN technology to enhance the agility and scalability of the

network, this technology has created a great deal of interest in the network domain. At the heart

of SDN technology is the OpenFlow protocol, and SDN comes with an OpenFlow switch that

provides flexibility and fast configuration of communication networks.

As such, the OpenFlow switch offers the following benefits:

 With the switch on which OpenFlow is enabled, the SDN controller can transmit trivial

traffic from longer routes less commonly used for mainstream traffic.

 The SDN controller can easily provide load balancing at a high data rate. The SDN

controller does this by directing different streams to different hosts, only by setting the current

streams.
 Data traffic can be isolated without the use of VLANs, the SDF controller of the

OpenFlow switch can refuse certain connections.

 Ease of setting up TAP or Sniffer on the network for any specific port or traffic, by

setting the network to send duplicate streams to a network monitoring device.

 Ability to deploy and deploy new services, all software on the SDN controller, as well

as accelerate the addition of new services and capabilities.

 Conclusion

The OpenFlow switch converts bottlenecks in the SDN environment to high performance and

scalability. This protocol provides an efficient, brand-independent solution for managing

complex networks with different needs. This is becoming a common solution in today's large

networks and cloud infrastructure.

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