Case study
Using ONOS SDN controller to control a heterogeneous data plane
Business background
Client type
Business goal
Our approach
- Provide a team of network, QA and software engineers with expertise in SDN, testing and software development
- Analyze the client’s requirements
- Design the solution’s architecture: how the entire dataplane has to be set up and how to control it effectively
- Implement the solution
- Test the solution
- Deploy the solution in the client’s production environment
Business benefits
- Saved costs: there was no need to replace the legacy network infrastructure, as it was integrated with the new SDN solution.
- Operational simplicity: the traffic forwarding across a heterogeneous data plane existing in the client's environment could be controlled by a single SDN control plane (a custom ONOS implementation).
- Reduced risks: a well-suited delivery process allowed for efficient interactions with the client, incremental delivery, and efficient testing.
Technical highlights
Identified the NBI (northbound interface) protocols supported by:
- existing leaf-spine fabric devices
- new hardware and software components to be added to the intra DC network topology
- Verified protocols and adapters available in the ONOS out-of-the-box and identified the gaps.
- Implemented the missing adapters.
- Analysed the traffic patterns in the client's intra DC network.
- Designed all the traffic-related forwarding schemes and the relevant SDN control logic.
Enhanced ONOS with:
- custom traffic forwarding-related apps
- custom webUI components
Defined the test suite and actively supported the client during the test campaign.
Technology stack
