Timing in Software-Defined and Centrally-Managed Networks

TL;DR

This paper investigates the role of synchronized clocks and timing in SDNs, analyzing benefits, theoretical foundations, practical implementations, and contributions to OpenFlow specifications.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of timing use cases in SDNs and introduces open source prototypes integrated into OpenFlow.

Findings

Timing improves coordination in SDNs

Open source prototypes demonstrate practical feasibility

Some timing features are incorporated into OpenFlow

Abstract

The work described in this paper explores the use of time and synchronized clocks in centrally-managed and Software Defined Networks (SDNs). One of the main goals of this work is to analyze use cases in which explicit use of time is beneficial. Both theoretical and practical aspects of timed coordination and synchronized clocks in centralized environments are analyzed. Some of the products of this work are already incorporated in the OpenFlow specification, and open source prototypes of the main components are publicly available.