The hybrid mode setting determines which packet-forwarding decisions are made by controlled OpenFlow switches and which of these decisions are made by the controller itself.
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If hybrid mode is enabled (the default setting), the controller delegates normal packet forwarding to the controlled switches, but overrides these switches for non-standard packet-forwarding decisions required by installed applications for specific packet types. In this mode the controller relies on the controlled switches to resolve loops and determine forwarding paths by using traditional networking mechanisms (such as STP).
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If hybrid mode is disabled, the controller makes the forwarding decisions for all packets in the OpenFlow-controlled network. In this state, the controller resolves network loops and determines forwarding paths.
Managing hybrid mode includes the following:
In all cases, the controller only monitors or directs packets within OpenFlow instances. The controller cannot direct or monitor packets outside of OpenFlow instances.
For information on supported network switches, see the HPE VAN SDN Controller and Applications Support Matrix.