ClosedFlow: openflow-like control over proprietary devices

Abstract

Software Defined Networking (SDN) offers unprecedented control to network administrators. With datacenters, because of the rapid build-out (new equipment installed) and the pervasiveness of virtualization (software switches are widely used), SDN is rapidly gaining traction. The reality for enterprises is that there is already an existing (legacy) network and, for the most part, companies don't have the excess capital to throw away their current investment and replace all of their network equipment with SDN capable devices. This means that uptake of SDN in enterprises is understandably slow. What is needed is a way for companies to gradually transition to SDN. In this paper, we present ClosedFlow, a system which incorporates techniques for exercising SDN control over existing proprietary hardware which closely mimics the fine grain control available in OpenFlow. This allows enterprises to control the network through a centralized controller, taking advantage of SDN's benefits today with no new investment, and gradually transition the hardware to SDN enabled hardware (e.g., OpenFlow) over time as part of their typical equipment replacement lifecycle.