software

defined
networking
Software Defined Networking is an emerging trend in the networking and
communication industry and it promises to deliver enormous benefits,
from reduced costs to more efficient network operations.

Jithesh TJ,
Santhosh Karipur
QuEST Global
contents

1.0 Abstract 01

2.0 Introduction 02

3.0 Why SDN? 02

4.0 Virtualization of Traffic Engineering using SDN - A Case Study 05

5.0 Benefits of SDN Approach 06

6.0 Scope for improvement 06

7.0 Conclusion 07

8.0 References 07

9.0 Author 07

© 2015, QuEST Global Services

 Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Abstract
This white paper presents concept and solutions for
virtualization of networks using Software Defined
Networking.
Software Defined Networking is an emerging trend in the
networking and communication industry and it promises
to deliver enormous benefits, from reduced costs to
more efficient network operations.
It is an architecture that allows network administrators to
easily manage and introduce new network services. This
is done by decoupling the management and control
planes that makes decisions about where traffic is sent
from (the control plane) the underlying hardware that
forwards data traffic to the selected destination (the data
plane).
In this paper we are describing the virtualization of Traffic
Engineering (TE) using SDN, which will cover the
followings,
- Traditional network architecture
- Limitations of today’s networking technologies
- Why this transformation in networking architecture is
required.
- Case Study - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering
- Use cases and Challenges
- Conclusion

Jithesh TJ, Santhosh Karipur

March, 2014

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Introduction Why SDN?

SDN is a new approach to networking that gives network In the traditional networks, protocols are tightly coupled
operators and owners more control of the infrastructure, with network equipment, which is based on the
allowing optimization, customization and virtualization principles of autonomous systems. Even as a proven
that enable the creation of new types of network networking model, simple and scalable, Network
services. Such new network services will have the ability engineers have to manually configure a large number of
to generate new business models, products & services, devices individually, which quickly becomes
which reduce capital & operational costs. unmanageable.

Figure 1 Traditional Network

Also, since networking software is embedded with the A modern network requires the ability to adjust
networking equipments, moving equipment from one dynamically based on application needs such as traffic
location to other requires a lot of reconfiguration in the patterns and volume of data flowing. Policy changes
network by making the changes in thenetworking have to automatically propagate to the entire network for
elements such as router, switch or firewall. configuration thus manual work and error can be
avoided. New features have to be integrated with
minimal disruption of the network operations.

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Next Generation Networks using SDN Open Network Foundation (ONF) is take lead in
standardization of SDN anddefined SDN architecture as
SDN addresses most of the concerns that network
shown in the figure 2. Application layer contains
administrators and designers of modern networks face.
business application which consumes SDN services
SDN provides centralized programmability and
provided by control layer. Control layer- which is called
management of networks, by separating the control and
SDN controller provides logically centralized control
data planes of network switching. An SDN controller with
functionality to application layer and well defined open
complete knowledge of networking components and
south API which communicates with infrastructure layer.
behavior can instruct devices how to handle traffic flows
Infrastructure layer contains networking switches
by software messaging. The behavior of the network is
provides switching and forwarding functionalities. Here
then configured by software in contrast to each
individual device being independently configured by standard OpenFlow protocol is used to communicate
command-line interface or user interface. control layer with infrastructure layer. The networking
elements used in infrastructure layershould support
OpenFlow protocol.

Figure 2 ONF SDN Architecture

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Market Drivers

Figure 3 Global Data Center IP Traffic Growth

As shown in the above figure according to “Cisco Visual Typical Applications

Networking Index Study”, global data center IP traffic to
Data Center and Cloud – Better scalability, server
increase three-fold by 2017 and global cloud traffic
utilization, centralized control and efficient utilization of
crossed the zettabyte threshold in 2012, and by 2017,
bandwidth
over twothirds of all data center traffic will be based in
the cloud. These data highlight the use of SDN which Carriers and internet service providers for efficient
logically centralize the control plain which improves the utilization ofbandwidth
programmability and management of dynamically In this paper we are describing the virtualization of
varying network. networking functions with the help of a specific solution
in Traffic Engineering. Here virtualization of Traffic
Engineering implemented using SDN and OpenFlow.
So below are the main Market Drivers for next
Enterprise data centers, cloud service providers,
generation SDN.
long-haul telecom providers and internet service
Increasing need for mobility providers can use this solution where TE Capabilities are
centralized using SDN and OpenFlow.
Growing of cloud services
Need for efficient network infrastructure
Consumerization of information technology
Changing traffic pattern to P2P communication and
surging of video traffic
Intelligent adaptive network for Big Data analytics

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Virtualization of Traffic Engineering using SDN framework and OpenFlow 1.1 server. Switches/Routers
are OpenFlow 1.1 capable.
– A Case Study
Open source routing stack Quagga will act as a Router
Traffic Engineering (TE) is an essential for enterprise
with Traffic Engineering capability. Currently, Quagga
data centers, cloud service providers, long-haul telecom
supports common unicast routing protocols, that is BGP,
providers and internet service providers. Such
OSPF, RIP, IS-IS and MPLS. Quagga with TE capable
backbones must support a high use of transmission
routing protocol forms the control plane for the SDN
capacity so that they can withstand link or node failures.
controller.
Traffic Engineering optimizes the performance of
As part of this solution we made the Switches/Network
backbone networks by analyzing the real time data
elements OpenFlow 1.1 capable by porting open source
traffic, topology and bandwidth demands.
OpenFlow implementation.
In today’s network TE capabilities can be achieved using
DN controller collects the real time data from the
TE capable Switches/Routers where complex protocols
underlying network and with the other connected SDN
are replicated in each and every switch as shown in the
controller. With this data, it computes the path
figure 1.
assignments for traffic flows and then programs the
In SDN based approach as shown in figure below, paths into the switches using OpenFlow. In the case of
control plane is decoupled from data plane. Control changing demand or network events, the service
plane forms SDN controller which contains open source recomputes path assignments and reprograms the
routing stacks; here we are using Quagga routing switches.

Figure 4 SDN Enabled Traffic Engineering Network

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networkingt - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Virtualization of Traffic Engineering using SDN High utilization - Centralized traffic engineering
provides in high utilization of the links.
– A Case Study
Faster failure handling - Failures can be identified
Traffic Engineering (TE) is an essential for enterprise
are handled faster because the functionality are split
data centers, cloud service providers, long-haul telecom
and divided between SDN controller and
providers and internet service providers. Such
Switch/Routers.
backbones must support a high use of transmission
capacity so that they can withstand link or node failures. Maintainability – SDN splits the control plane from
the forwarding/data plane enables us to perform
Traffic Engineering optimizes the performance of
upgradation of SDN controllers or Switches/Routers
backbone networks by analyzing the real time data
without much disruption of network.
traffic, topology and bandwidth demands.
Algorithm Upgradation - Compute capability of
In today’s network TE capabilities can be achieved using
network devices is no longer a limiting factor as
TE capable Switches/Routers where complex protocols
control/management plane resides on external
are replicated in each and every switch as shown in the
servers/controllers.
figure 1.
Constraints
In SDN based approach as shown in figure below,
control plane is decoupled from data plane. Control Lack of standardization and awareness among buyers
plane forms SDN controller which contains open source
OpenFlow protocol is not mature
routing stacks; here we are using Quagga routing
framework and OpenFlow 1.1 server. Switches/Routers Interoperability challenges
are OpenFlow 1.1 capable. To support co-existence with existing devices, the
Open source routing stack Quagga will act as a Router existing technologies must have additional
with Traffic Engineering capability. Currently, Quagga enhancement
supports common unicast routing protocols, that is BGP, Scope for Improvement
OSPF, RIP, IS-IS and MPLS. Quagga with TE capable
routing protocol forms the control plane for the SDN Providing redundancy for the SDN controller will be a
controller. real challenge in the proposed solution. Since SDN is a
centralized solution, failure in the SDN controller will
As part of this solution we made the Switches/Network block the entire functionality of the network. To overcome
elements OpenFlow 1.1 capable by porting open source this, a redundant SDN controller, which would be acting
OpenFlow implementation. as a secondary SDN controller, has to be configured.
DN controller collects the real time data from the Communication between primary and secondary SDN
underlying network and with the other connected SDN controllers has to be addressed in the proposed solution.
controller. With this data, it computes the path SDN also creates concern to network engineers that
assignments for traffic flows and then programs the require understanding to effectively manage security
paths into the switches using OpenFlow. In the case of issues. In the traditional networks, engineers understand
changing demand or network events, the service where each physical device is located and can manage
recomputes path assignments and reprograms the the environment to protect the most valuable assets. In
switches. SDN, even though the same security management may
Benefits of SDN Approach be possible, the physical location of the device is less
important because the controls are implemented in the
Centralized Control – SDN allows the centralized
abstraction layer. To improve security, engineers need to
control of multi vendor switches because it will inter
maintain close surveillance of valuable assets within the
operate through the OpenFlow protocol.
environment and track the assets that are being
Improves Failover Behavior – Reduced failures due protected. Location enabled asset tracking applications
to simplifying or centralizing configuration, could alleviate such concern of day to day management
management and provisioning

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© 2015, QuEST Global Services
 Software Defined Networkingt - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

Software Defined Networking - Virtualization of Traffic Engineering

vof network administration. With its many advantages, SDN is expected to transform
today’s static network into flexible and programmable
Conclusion
platforms of the future networks. While worlds’ leading
Increasing need for mobility and growing of cloud based network equipment vendors are getting geared up to
services introduce rapid change in network demand embrace this transformation, QuEST is building the
which cannot be handled by today’s traditional expertise and solutions to provide expert level
networking architecture. SDN transform today’s engineering services in SDN technology.
networks into scalable, programmable platforms which
can control multi-vendor switches using OpenFlow
protocol. SDN allows IT staff to manage networks with References
common approach and tool set. Because of control
Open Network Foundation -
plane running externally in SDN architecture, computing
[Link]
capability of network devices is no longer a limiting
factor. It has created a lot of excitement in the Software Defined Networking – O’REILLY
networking industry for possibly using low cost hardware Cisco Global Cloud Index: Forecast and
in high end network infrastructure which reduces capital Methodology, 2012–2017
expenditure and operational costs.

Author

Jithesh T J is Program Manager at QuEST. He has over Santhosh Karipur is Senior Technical Architect at
10 years of development experience in Networking and QuEST Trivandrum. He has over 14 years of
Datacvom Domain and worked on Enterprises Routers development experience in Wireless and Networking
and Switches. Domain and worked on Wireless Access Points, Routers
and Switches.

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[Link]
© 2015, QuEST Global Services
© 2015, QuEST Global Services