Tools for a Multi-Controller SDN Architecture

Abstract

Software Define Network (SDN) is a recent paradigm based on the separation between the data plane and the control plane, allowing to handle the traffic network by means of software. The SDN ecosystem is fragmented due to the multitude of different controller platforms. This creates a danger of a controller lock-in for SDN application developers and for SDN network operator. In order to tackle this problem an innovative SDN architecture is presented whose aim is to execute SDN applications written for different controller in an unique network. This architecture presents an important problem to debug and analyze the SDN network. Therefore, a set of tool is design and developed with the purpose of solving this limitation and guarantee the proper operation of the network. Three of these tools are detailed in depth, a logger which displays the messages that cross the architecture, a profiler that shows information of the applications and parameters of the network and a model checker whose main task is to validate important properties of the network such as assure that there are no black holes.