Control PlaneΒΆ

In Software Defined Networking (SDN), the control plane is responsible for managing and making decisions about how traffic should be handled within the network. It acts as the "brain" of the network by setting the rules and policies for routing and switching data packets.

The control plane operates separately from the data plane (which forwards the actual data). This separation allows for centralized control, where a single SDN controller can dynamically adjust and optimize the flow of traffic across the network, without relying on traditional device-specific control mechanisms like those in legacy networks.

Key responsibilities of the control plane in SDN include:

  • Routing decisions: Determining the best paths for data to travel across the network.
  • Network topology management: Keeping track of the network's structure and state.
  • Policy enforcement: Applying network policies, such as access control or quality of service (QoS).
  • Communication with the data plane: Sending instructions to the data plane on how to handle and forward packets.

This centralized and programmable control model is a core feature of SDN, making networks more flexible, scalable, and easier to manage.

Setting up the control plane using ONOS SDN controllers
  1. Log on to the VM created to host the control plane (e.g. AS1_SDNC)
  2. Set up the ONOS SDN controller using this script.