Estudo de redes definidas por software e a sua implantação em redes corporativas

Abstract

This thesis first presents an historical evolution of programmable networks and some of the current software-defined networking (SDN) technologies. The chosen SDN convention to describe a SDN architecture consists of three layers: the northbound API, the control platform, and the southbound API. Some of the most basic networking concepts are then analyzed, such as Ethernet switching and IP routing, and some of the most common corporate area network functions are explained, such as MAC address limits per port, access control lists (ACLs) and the Spanning-tree logic (STP). Some of these network functions are then demonstrated using a well-known southbound control protocol: OpenFlow, implemented using the Mininet network emulator and the POX controller. An arbitrary corporate area network is built and configured using a Packet Tracer simulated topology, which is used as a proof-of- concept network to compare traditional corporate area network features with SDN- based ones. Based on the presented network case, a migration plan draft is created for deploying SDN as a replacement. Finally, some of the disadvantages and advantages of SDN architecture adoption are discussed.