About OpenFlow

OpenFlow is a programmable open-standard network protocol that uses flexible matching rules to classify and manage network traffic into flows. OpenFlow defines a set of actions that network devices can take to manage these flows. An OpenFlow controller defines and communicates policies to specify traffic behavior on OpenFlow switches. OpenFlow separates the control plane (that decides how traffic must be forwarded) from the data plane (that implements how traffic is forwarded.)

OpenFlow is based on an Ethernet switch with internal flow-tables and a standardized interface to add and remove flow entries via an external controller.

OpenFlow is a software environment that allows for experimentation of networking protocols and traffic flows without interrupting the operation of a production network. OpenFlow traffic can be separated from the rest of the traffic on the network per VLAN so that OpenFlow does not impact non-OpenFlow traffic.

OpenFlow implementation on switches separates OpenFlow traffic and non-OpenFlow traffic with OpenFlow instances. Traffic within an OpenFlow instance does not influence or degrade non-OpenFlow traffic. OpenFlow configuration commands are applied per-instance.

OpenFlow switches and controller

HPE implementation complies with OpenFlow Switch Specification v1.0.0 (December 31, 2009.) With the K/KA.15.14, KB.15.15 (for the 5400R), KB.16.01 (for the 3810M), WB.15.14 and WC.16.02 releases, switches support OpenFlow Switch Specification v1.3.1 (September 2012). For implementation limitations with respect to the supported specifications, see Supported RFCs and standards.

For more information, see the Open Networking Foundation website at https://www.opennetworking.org/.