Network Traffic Control for Multi-homed End-hosts via SDN

TL;DR

This paper investigates embedding SDN components in end-hosts to enhance load balancing across multiple network interfaces, demonstrating significant throughput improvements over traditional methods.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates SDN-based load balancing approaches directly implemented in end-hosts, a novel application of SDN technology.

Findings

Achieved 55% throughput increase over legacy single network systems.

Demonstrated 10% throughput improvement over MPTCP.

Validated feasibility of SDN in multi-homed end-hosts.

Abstract

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an emerging technology of efficiently controlling and managing computer networks, such as in data centres, Wide Area Networks (WANs), as well as in ubiquitous communication. In this paper, we explore the idea of embedding the SDN components, represented by SDN controller and virtual switch, in end-hosts to improve network performance. In particular, we consider load balancing across multiple network interfaces on end-hosts with different link capacity scenarios. We have explored and implemented different SDN-based load balancing approaches based on OpenFlow software switches, and have demonstrated the feasibility and the potential of this approach. The proposed system has been evaluated with multipath transmission control protocol (MPTCP). Our results demonstrated the potential of applying the SDN concepts on multi-homed devices resulting in an increase in achieved throughput of 55\% compared to the legacy single network approach and 10\% compared to the MPTCP.