A novel method to find the best path in SDN using firefly algorithm

Abstract Over the previous three decades, the area of computer networks has progressed significantly, from traditional static networks to dynamically designed architecture. The primary purpose of software-defined networking (SDN) is to create an open, programmable network. Conventional network devices, such as routers and switches, may make routing decisions and forward packets; however, SDN divides these components into the Data plane and the Control plane by splitting distinct features away. As a result, switches can only forward packets and cannot make routing decisions; the controller makes routing decisions. OpenFlow is the communication interface between the switches and the controller. It is a protocol that allows the controller to identify the network packet’s path across the switches. This project uses the SDN environment to implement the firefly optimization algorithm to determine the shortest path between two nodes in a network. The firefly optimization algorithm was implemented using Ryu control. The results reveal that using the firefly optimization algorithm improves the selected short path between the source and destination.