Marc Bruyere

Software defined networking and virtualization for broadband satellite networks

Satellite networks have traditionally been considered for specific purposes. Recently, new satellite technologies have been pushed to the market enabling high-performance satellite access networks. On the other hand, network architectures are taking advantage of emerging technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN), network virtualization and network functions virtualization (NFV). Therefore, benefiting communications services over satellite networks from these new technologies at first, and their seamless integration with terrestrial networks at second, are of great interest and importance. In this paper, and through comprehensive use cases, the advantages of introducing network programmability and virtualization using SDN and/or NFV in satellite networks are investigated. The requirements to be fulfilled in each use case are also discussed.

OSNT: Open Source Network Tester

Despite network monitoring and testing being critical for computer networks, current solutions are both extremely expensive and inflexible. Into this lacuna we launch the Open Source Network Tester, a fully open source traffic generator and capture system. Our prototype implementation on the NetFPGA-10G supports 4 × 10 Gb/s traffic generation across all packet sizes, and traffic capture is supported up to 2 × 10Gb/s with naïve host software. Our system implementation provides methods for scaling and coordinating multiple generator/capture systems, and supports 6.25 ns timestamp resolution with clock drift and phase coordination maintained by GPS input. Additionally, our approach has demonstrated lower-cost than comparable commercial systems while achieving comparable levels of precision and accuracy; all within an open-source framework extensible with new features to support new applications, while permitting validation and review of the implementation.

OFLOPS-Turbo: Testing the next-generation OpenFlow switch

The heterogeneity barrier breakthrough achieved by the OpenFlow protocol is currently paced by the variability in performance semantics among network devices, which reduces the ability of applications to take complete advantage of programmable control. As a result, control applications remain conservative on performance requirements in order to be generalizable and trade performance for explicit state consistency in order to support varying performance behaviours. In this paper we argue that network control must be optimized towards network device capabilities and network managers and application developers must perform informed design decision using accurate switch performance profiles. This becomes highly critical for modern OpenFlow-enabled 10 GbE optical switches which significantly elevate switch performance requirements. We present OFLOPS-Turbo, the integration of the OFLOPS switch evaluation platform, with the OSNT platform, a hardware-accelerated traffic generation and capture system supporting lossless 10 GbE functionality. Using OFLOPS-Turbo, we conduct an evaluation of flow table manipulation capabilities in a representative collection of 10 GbE production OpenFlow switch devices and interpret the evolution of OpenFlow support by comparison with historical data.

Inter-domain networking innovation on steroids: empowering ixps with SDN capabilities

While innovation in inter-domain routing has remained stagnant for over a decade, Internet exchange points (IXPs) are consolidating their role as economically advantageous interconnection points for reducing path latencies and exchanging ever increasing amounts of traffic. As such, IXPs appear as a natural place to foster network innovation and assess the benefits of SDN, a recent technological trend that has already boosted innovation within data center networks. In this article, we give a comprehensive overview of use cases for SDN at IXPs, which leverage the superior vantage point of an IXP to introduce advanced features like load balancing and DDoS mitigation. We discuss the benefits of SDN solutions by analyzing real-world data from one of the largest IXPs. We also leverage insights into IXP operations to shape benefits not only for members but also for operators.

An Open Testing Framework for Next-Generation Openflow Switches

The deployment experience of OpenFlow support in production networks has highlighted variable limitations between network devices and vendors, while the recent integration of OpenFlow control abstractions in 10 GbE switches, increases further the performance requirements to support the switch control plane. This paper presents OFLOPS-Turbo, an effort to integrate OFLOPS, the OpenFlow switch evaluation platform, with OSNT, a hardware-accelerated traffic generation and capture system.

Architecture for an open source network tester

To make networks more reliable, enormous resources are poured into all phases of the network-equipment lifecycle. The process starts early in the design phase when simulation is used to verify the correctness of a design, and continues through manufacturing and perhaps months of rigorously trials. With over 7,000 Internet RFCs and hundreds of IEEE standards, a typical piece of networking equipment undergoes hundreds of conformance tests before being deployed. Finally, when deployed in a production network, the equipment is tested regularly. Throughout the process, a relentless battery of tests and measurement help ensure the correct operation of the equipment.

Umbrella: a deployable SDN-enabled IXP Switching Fabric

Software Defined internet eXchange Points (SDXs) are a promising solution to the long-standing limitations and problems of interdomain routing. While proposed SDX architectures have improved the scalability of the control plane, these solutions have ignored the underlying fabric upon which they should be deployed. This work makes the case for a new fabric architecture that proposes stronger control and data plane separation.

ENDEAVOUR: A Scalable SDN Architecture For Real-World IXPs

Innovation in interdomain routing has remained stagnant for over a decade. Recently, Internet eXchange Points (IXPs) have emerged as economically-advantageous interconnection points for reducing path latencies and exchanging ever increasing traffic volumes among, possibly, hundreds of networks. Given their far-reaching implications on interdomain routing, IXPs are the ideal place to foster network innovation and extend the benefits of software defined networking (SDN) to the interdomain level. In this paper, we present, evaluate, and demonstrate ENDEAVOUR, an SDN platform for IXPs. ENDEAVOUR can be deployed on a multi-hop IXP fabric, supports a large number of use cases, and is highly scalable, while avoiding broadcast storms. Our evaluation with real data from one of the largest IXPs, demonstrates the benefits and scalability of our solution: ENDEAVOUR requires around 70% fewer rules than alternative SDN solutions thanks to our rule partitioning mechanism. In addition, by providing an open source solution, we invite everyone from the community to experiment (and improve) our implementation as well as adapt it to new use cases.