Domain-based Hybrid OpenFlow Network (HON)

Abstract

This paper introduces a new architecture for OpenFlow deployment across international boundaries which are more cost effective and scalable called Hybrid OpenFlow Networking (HON) architecture. The HON architecture divides the OpenFlow network into three domains: Wide Area domain, Local Area domain and User domain. Wide Area domain forms the OpenFlow network backbone comprising hardware-based OpenFlow switches while the Local Area domain is the edge network formed by number of software-based OpenvSwitches. An intermediate network gateway was developed to inter-connect the Wide Area domain and Local Area domain switches. GRE overlay encapsulation protocol is used to provide interconnection among OpenvSwitches for both OpenFlow control and data plane. We also successfully implemented a hybrid OpenFlow networking involving RISE (Research Infrastructure for large-Scale network Experiments) testbed in Wide Area domain and NTU (Nanyang Technology University) testbed in Local Area domain.