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Persevering with the how actual is the decade-old SDN hype thread, let’s attempt to determine if anybody nonetheless makes use of OpenFlow. OpenFlow was declared lifeless by the troubadour of the SDN motion in 2016, so it appears to be like just like the query is moot. Nevertheless, nothing ever dies in networking (together with hop-by-hop IPv6 extension headers), so right here we go.
Why Would One Use OpenFlow?
Ignoring for the second the embarrassing we solved the worldwide load balancing with per-flow forwarding educational blunders, OpenFlow wasn’t the worst device for programming forwarding exceptions (ACL/PBR) into TCAM.
I wouldn’t be shocked to search out it used to implement programmable patch panels, generally generally known as entry switches or digital circuit switching in service supplier networks. Even in these instances, good engineers would most likely mix circuit-programming capabilities of OpenFlow with native management airplane that will detect failures and set off failovers.
Is Anybody Nonetheless Supporting OpenFlow?
OpenFlow hype began in massive knowledge facilities, so I first checked whether or not Arista nonetheless helps it. EOS 4.28.0F Consumer Guide does point out OpenFlow, however the implementation hasn’t modified in years – EOS helps solely OpenFlow 1.0 on historic 7050/7050X switches. It appears to be like like no person massive sufficient to curiosity Arista is asking for an OpenFlow implementation on a knowledge middle forwarding ASIC designed within the final decade.
Mission achieved? Not so quick. One other attention-grabbing supply of data is the Faucet SDN controller. I checked out them in 2019 when getting ready for a chat with Nick Buraglio, and located them to be fairly conservative – their vendor-specific documentation all the time contains no matter they thought would work moderately properly.
Their vendor checklist didn’t change a lot over time. NoviFlow has been there without end, I used to be pleasantly shocked to see Aruba switches on the checklist, and completely shocked to see Cisco Catalyst 9000 – OpenFlow has been applied in IOS XE. Appears to be like like there’s a really massive buyer on the market utilizing OpenFlow on Catalyst switches.
Have I missed one thing? Is anybody else actively supporting OpenFlow? Is anybody (other than Nick) utilizing OpenFlow in a manufacturing community? I’d love to listen to from you – your feedback (ideally together with hyperlinks to documentation) can be most welcome. In case you wish to ship me a personal message, you have already got my e-mail handle if in case you have an ipSpace.web subscription, or in case you’re subscribed to my SDN/automation mailing checklist, and there’s the Contact Us type for everybody else.
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