Title: MigrateSDN: efficient approach to integrate OpenFlow networks with STP-enabled networks

Authors: Po-Wen Chi; Ming-Hung Wang; Jing-Wei Guo; Chin-Laung Lei

Addresses: Arcadyan Technology Corporation, No. 8, Sec. 2, Guangfu Rd., Hsinchu 30071, Taiwan ' Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taiwan ' Institute for Information Industry, 11F, No. 106, Sec. 2, Heping East Rd., Taipei 10622, Taiwan ' Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taiwan

Abstract: Software defined networking (SDN) is a paradigm-shifting technology in networking. However, in current network infrastructures, removing existing networks to build pure SDN networks or replacing all operating network devices with SDN-enabled devices is impractical because of time and cost involved in the process. Therefore, SDN migration, which implies the use of co-existing techniques and a gradual move to SDN, is an important issue. In this paper, we focus on how SDN networks can be integrated with legacy networks that use spanning tree protocol (STP). Our approach demonstrates three advantages. First, our approach does not require an SDN controller to apply the STP exchange on all switches but only on boundary switches. Second, our approach enables legacy networks to concurrently use multiple links that used to be blocked except one for avoiding loops. Third, our approach decreases bridge protocol data unit (BPDU) frames used in STP construction and topology change.

Keywords: software defined networking; SDN; spanning tree protocol; network migration; network integration; bridge protocol data unit; BPDU; topology change.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCSE.2019.104433

International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering, 2019 Vol.20 No.4, pp.480 - 491

Received: 05 Mar 2017
Accepted: 31 Jul 2017
Published online: 12 Jan 2020 *

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