Automating the initial configuration of sdn switches in a hybrid-sdn environment

Abstract

At present for SDN environments, there are many proposed mechanisms to improve its reliability, and performance. The challenges faced by SDN networks are mainly related to Scalability, Reliability and Performance. As an example, for scalability related challenges, many SDN networks have problems when replacing or installing new SDN switches to the network. The problems are mainly the cost and errors while the installation process. To overcome this issue, a mechanism is proposed to automate the initial configuration of the newly added SDN switches. When it comes to the performance, there are problems such as load balancing, looping and traffic related issues due to broadcast messages. To minimize these challenges the project also brings solutions by implementing DHCP relays and STP inside the network. Also, with the multi-controller architecture proposed it increase the efficiency and Performance. To automate the initial configuration of the switches, the newly added switch is detected at first and then a relationship is established between the newly added switch and an existing SDN switch. Then the newly added switch establishes a connection with the automation server, which then results the automation process to start. The proposed mechanism is implemented in a testing environment using Mininet which creates a virtual environment, a RYU controller as the SDN controller and the OpenFlow is used as the protocol for communication between interfaces. The proposed mechanism will bring many benefits like minimize the errors and save time due to the automated initial configuration in a hybrid-SDN environment, increase efficiency and Performance comparing to the present hybrid-SDN environments.