Method and device for processing GR of openflow switch, and openflow controller

• US 10,454,817 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2014
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZTE Corporation
• Original Assignee: ZTE Corporation
• Inventors: Xiao, Min, Fan, Liang, Chen, Ran
• Primary Examiner(s): Kassim, Khaled M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Syed
• Application Number:
  US15/120,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20170070424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,918 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/021 Ensuring consistency of routing table updates, e.g. by using epoch numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/38 Flow based routing

Abstract

Provided are a method and device for processing a Graceful Restart (GR) of an OpenFlow switch, and an OpenFlow controller. The method includes that: the OpenFlow switch is determined being in a GR state; and the state of the OpenFlow switch is marked as the GR state, wherein marking the state as the GR state includes: keeping a flow table and external connection of the OpenFlow switch before GR still valid, and prohibiting the flow table from being modified. Through the present disclosure, the problem in the related art that GR of an OpenFlow switch cannot be achieved is solved, thereby achieving the effect of effectively implementing the GR of the OpenFlow switch.

Claims

1. A method for processing a Graceful Restart (GR) of an OpenFlow switch, comprising:

determining, by an OpenFlow controller, the OpenFlow switch being in a GR state; and

marking, by the OpenFlow controller, a state of the OpenFlow switch as the GR state, wherein marking the state as the GR state comprises;

keeping a flow table and external connection of the OpenFlow switch before the GR still valid, and prohibiting the flow table from being modified;

wherein determining, by the OpenFlow controller, the OpenFlow switch being in the GR state comprises;

sending, by the OpenFlow controller, when connecting with the OpenFlow switch, to the OpenFlow switch a message for inquiring whether the OpenFlow switch supports a capability of the GR;

receiving, by the OpenFlow controller, a GR supporting capability response message fed back by the OpenFlow switch; and

determining, by the OpenFlow controller, when disconnecting from the OpenFlow switch, the OpenFlow switch being in the GR state according to the received GR supporting capability response message;

wherein after marking, by the OpenFlow controller, the state of the OpenFlow switch as the GR state, further comprising;

detecting, by the OpenFlow controller, a re-connection with the OpenFlow switch; and

clearing, by the OpenFlow controller, the GR state of the OpenFlow switch.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after marking, by the OpenFlow controller, the state of the OpenFlow switch as the GR state, further comprising:

feeding back, by the OpenFlow controller, the GR state of the OpenFlow switch to a network application program module requiring to know a network topology.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after clearing, by the OpenFlow controller, the GR state of the OpenFlow switch, further comprising:

feeding back, by the OpenFlow controller, an updated state obtained after clearing the GR state of the OpenFlow switch to the network application program module requiring to know the network topology.

4. A device for processing a Graceful Restart (GR) of an OpenFlow switch, comprising:

a hardware processor, configured to perform programming components stored in a memory, wherein the programming components comprise;

a determination component, configured to determine the OpenFlow switch being in a GR state; and

a marking component, configured to mark the state of the OpenFlow switch as the GR state, wherein marking the state as the GR state comprises;

keeping a flow table and external connection of the OpenFlow switch before the GR still valid, and prohibiting the flow table from being modified;

wherein the determination component comprises;

a sending element, configured to send, when connecting with the OpenFlow switch, to the OpenFlow switch a message for inquiring whether the OpenFlow switch supports a capability of the GR;

a second receiving element, configured to receive a GR supporting capability response message fed back by the OpenFlow switch; and

a second determination element, configured to determine, when disconnecting from the OpenFlow switch, the OpenFlow switch being in the GR state according to the received GR supporting capability response message;

wherein the programming components further comprise;

a detection component, configured to detect re-connection with the OpenFlow switch; and

a clearing component, configured to clear the GR state of the OpenFlow switch.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the programming components further comprise:

a first feedback component, configured to feed back the GR state of the OpenFlow switch to a network application program module requiring to know a network topology.

6. An OpenFlow controller, comprising the device as claimed in claim 5.

7. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the programming components further comprise:

a second feedback component, configured to feed back an updated state obtained after clearing the GR state of the OpenFlow switch to the network application program module requiring to know the network topology.

8. An OpenFlow controller, comprising the device as claimed in claim 7.

9. An OpenFlow controller, comprising the device as claimed in claim 4.