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Case study

Using ONOS SDN controller to control a heterogeneous data plane

SDN & NFV
DC
Solutions design

Business background

Clients icon

Client type

A data center provider
Goals Icon

Business goal

Improve the client’s intra DC network by introducing new hardware and software data plane components; implement a control plane (using the ONOS platform) to coordinate traffic control across the entire network environment

Our approach

  • Provide a team of network, QA and softwarengineers 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
Requirements

Business benefits

Requirements
  • 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.

Requirements

Technology stack

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