The Open Networking Foundation (ONF), the non-profit organization driving standardization of software-defined networking (SDN) using OpenFlow, has set its agenda for 2013. Specifications for the application of SDN to optical transport networks are among the items on the ONF’s to-do list.
SDN aims to bring virtualization to data center and, perhaps, carrier networks by abstracting the application layer from the networking layer. This would enable application developers to create new software-based functions that they could deploy rapidly regardless of network technology.
OpenFlow is the ONF’s SDN protocol of choice, and much of the 2013 agenda will aim to enable OpenFlow to better meet market needs, including standard approaches to configuration, management, security, and transport. Along these lines, the ONF says it will continue to work closely with the ETSI network-operator-led Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Industry Specification Group (ISG).
The development of specifications for the potential application of OpenFlow and SDN to fiber-optic networks will fall within the purview of the new Optical Transport Working Group. The group will focus on optical WANs and the interconnection between services that network operators offer and that cloud companies provide. The work will emphasize quality of service (QoS) concerns. Demonstrations of potential SDN technology for optical networks have already taken place (see "Infinera, ESnet demo Transport SDN via Open Transport Switch").
Other tasks on the 2013 technical roadmap include:
- Evolution of the OpenFlow protocol to version 1.4
- Prototyping of new features
- Certifying products built on OpenFlow 1.0 through OpenFlow 1.3 through a formal certification program; sanctioning independent labs for testing
- Tackling operations, administration, and maintenance (OAM)
- Fostering a supply chain for physical OpenFlow switches. These activities will include development of table typing patterns in the Forwarding Abstractions Working Group and the creation of a chipmaker advisory board to encourage OpenFlow support in Ethernet chips
- Creation of the Migration Working Group to make recommendations on guidelines, systems, tools, and metrics for migrating to an OpenFlow network.
Rick Bauer was named technical program manager for ONF and will oversee the technical roadmap’s implementation. Bauer has experience within both industry and the standardization community.
“Organizations need to achieve better business value from today’s networks. At the same time, they need to design and build networks of the future that can meet the demands of highly dynamic and virtualized applications, as well as the demands of new business models and virtual organizations,” noted Bauer. “I look forward to taking on the technical program at ONF, helping to further develop the OpenFlow protocol and ONF’s entire technical portfolio, and put practical standards-based SDN solutions into the hands of users.”
The ONF also added nine people to its roster of Research Associates, bringing its membership to 12. Research Associates are selected for participation privileges in ONF based on their contributions to the creation and advancement of SDN and the OpenFlow protocol.
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