Generalized SDN control for access/metro/core integration in the framework of the interface to the Routing System (I2RS)

Abstract

Software defined networking (SDN), originally designed to operate on access Ethernet-based networks, has been recently proposed for different specific networking scenarios, including core or metro/aggregation networks. In this study, we extend this concept to enable a comprehensive control of a converged access, metro and edges of a core network. In particular, a generalized SDN controller is proposed for upstream global QoS traffic engineering of passive optical networks (PONs), Ethernet metro/aggregation segment and IP/MPLS networks through the adoption of an unique interface, in the framework of the Interface to the Routing System (I2RS). Extended OpenFlow functionalities and Path Computation Element Protocol (PCEP) interfaces are encompassed to achieve effective dynamic flow control.