Protection of control paths in virtual software-defined networks

Programski upravljane mreže nastoje riješiti probleme i nedostatke tradicionalnih komunikacijskih mreža. Virtualizacija programski upravljanih mreža je dodatan korak prema njihovoj većoj zastupljenosti i povećanju njihovih mogućnosti. Za rad takvih mreža iznimno je bitno da njihove komponente mogu međusobno razmjenjivati kontrolne poruke, zbog čega je zaštita te komunikacije tema ovog rada. U radu su opisani osnovni koncepti programski upravljanih mreža i njihove virtualizacije. Opisana je i specifikacija OpenFlow te grupe fast failover pomoću kojih se mogu zaštititi kontrolni putevi virtualnih programski upravljanih mreža. Predstavljena je uspostava prototipa virtualnih programski upravljanih mreža te je demonstrirana zaštita njihovih kontrolnih puteva upotrebom OpenFlow grupa fast failover.Software-defined networks aim to solve problems and disadvantages that are present in traditional communication networks. Virtualization of software-defined networks is a step toward increasing their presence and expanding their functionality. It is extremely important for the operation of these networks that their components are able to exchange control messages, which is the reason why protection of that communication is the topic for this thesis. Basic concepts of software-defined networks and their virtualization are explained in this thesis. The OpenFlow specification and the fast failover groups, which can be used to protect control paths of virtual software-defined networks, are also described. Implementation of the prototype of virtual software-defined networks is presented, along with a demonstration of protecting their control paths by using the OpenFlow fast failover groups