Network Device Control in a Software Defined Network
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A technique for programming or querying a network device in a Software Defined Network (SDN) via a communications protocol is provided. A method realization of that technique implemented by a controller of the SDN comprises the step of creating at least one template for a type message defined by the communications protocol. The template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message. The at least one template is sent to the network device for installation by that network device. The communications protocol may be one of the OpenFlow protocol and the ForCES Forwarding Element Model protocol as defined in RFC 5812.
39 Citations
53 Claims
-
1-27. -27. (canceled)
-
28. A method implemented by a controller in a software defined network for programming or querying a network device via a communications protocol, the method comprising:
-
creating at least one template for a type of message defined by the communications protocol, wherein the template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message, which is an add flow message directed at installing a new data packet flow onto the network device; sending the at least one template to the network device for installation by that network device to enable planning to which hardware resources of the network device flows added based on the template will be mapped; and receiving from the network device a report indicative of how many flows can be added based on the template. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
-
31. A method implemented by a network device in a software defined network, wherein the network device is configured to be remotely programmed or queried by a controller via a communications protocol, the method comprising:
-
receiving at least one template for a type of message defined by the communications protocol, wherein the template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message, which is an add flow message directed at installing a new data packet flow onto the network device; installing the at least one template, wherein the installation includes planning to which hardware resources of the network device flows added based on the template will be mapped; and reporting to the controller how many flows can be added based on the template. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
-
-
49. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program product comprising program code portions that, when executed on a controller in a software defined network, configures the controller for programming or querying a network device via a communications protocol, including configuring the controller to:
-
create at least one template for a type of message defined by the communications protocol, wherein the template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message, which is an add flow message directed at installing a new data packet flow onto the network device; send the at least one template to the network device for installation by that network device to enable planning to which hardware resources of the network device flows added based on the template will be mapped; and receive from the network device a report indicative of how many flows can be added based on the template.
-
-
50. A controller for a software defined network, the controller being configured to program or query a network device via a communications protocol and comprising:
-
a template creator configured to create at least one template for a type of message defined by the communications protocol, wherein the template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message, which is an add flow message directed at installing a new data packet flow onto the network device; and an interface configured to send the at least one template to the network device for installation by that network device to enable planning to which hardware resources of the network device flows added based on the template will be mapped, and to receive from the network device a report indicative of how many flows can be added based on the template. - View Dependent Claims (51)
-
-
52. A network device of a software defined network, wherein the network device is configured to be remotely programmed or queried by a controller via a communications protocol, the network device comprising:
-
an interface configured to receive at least one template for a type of message defined by the communications protocol, wherein the template predefines at least one value for at least one parameter conveyed by that type of message, which is an add flow message directed at installing a new data packet flow onto the network device; and a template installer configured to install the at least one template, wherein the installation includes planning to which hardware resources of the network device flows added based on the template will be mapped; wherein the interface is further configured to report to the controller how many flows can be added based on the template. - View Dependent Claims (53)
-
Specification