Software Defined Networking for FUSIION (Integrated Hybrid Optical) Networks)

Abstract

Nowadays large transmission capacity is offered through deployment of optical fiber. At the same time, new design approaches have emerged, like the Integrated Hybrid Optical Network (IHON) architecture which combines the advantages of both circuit and packet switching while diminishing their disadvantages. IHON offers both guaranteed Quality of Service (QoS) and efficient utilization of the transmission capacity. Transpacket is a startup company that has developed Fusion H1, a prototypenode based on IHON principles which uses Ethernet for data planewhile employing Yet Another Next Generation (YANG) data modeling language and Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF) protocol for control plane. In traditional networks, control and data planes are coupled within the network hardware which leads to expensive network management and administration. In order to lower costs and increase the network flexibility in provisioning new services and adapting to the emerging range of applications, an Software Defined Network (SDN) is believed to be the promising solution. SDN dissociates the control from the underlying network devices, and centralizes the intelligence and state of the network at the controller to allow network automation.

In this thesis work is demonstrated for the first time an SDN controlled integrated hybrid optical network through emulation and also experiment with Fusion H1 nodes in the Uninett lab. Furthermore, this report covers brief background to IHON in general and Fusion H1 nodes in particular. Additionally, an SDN platform, and evaluation of NETCONF and OpenFlow (OF) southbound protocols is included. We also discuss both the emulation testbed and lab experiment.

OpenDaylight (ODL) platform is chosen as the testbed to emulate NETCONF-based SDN framework for IHON. We described the core procedures to simulate the IHON nodes, and establish successful communication with the chosen SDN testbed. First, we developed YANG model for the configuration of IHON nodes. As a result, configuration, management and monitoring of the network is achieved using the controller. Moreover, the same ODL testbed which is installed in a stationary server at the Telematics department is used to experiment with the H1 network at Uninett labs. As a result, we succeeded to connect each node with the testbed platform, and retrieved their configuration. Lastly, possible future work is presented as a continuation of this thesis.