Flow-based load balancing in multipathed layer-2 networks using OpenFlow and multipath-TCP

Abstract

In this paper we address the challenge of traffic optimization for big data flows in layer-2 networks. We present an OpenFlow controller implementation that removes the necessity of a Spanning Tree Protocol, allows for the usage of multiple paths, and enables in-network per-flow load balancing. Moreover, we demonstrate how systems deploying Multipath-TCP can benefit from our solution.