Open Networking Foundation

URL = http://www.opennetworkingfoundation.org/

Description

"The Open Networking Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a new approach to networking called Software-Defined Networking (SDN). SDN allows owners and operators of networks to control and manage their networks to best serve their needs. ONF’s first priority is to develop and use the OpenFlow protocol. Through simplified hardware and network management, Open Flow seeks to increase network functionality while lowering the cost associated with operating networks."

Discussion

Some details:

"The SDN approach arose out of a six-year research collaboration between Stanford University and the University of California at Brkeley. Essential to SDN are two basic components: a software interface (called OpenFlow) for controlling how packets are forwarded through network switches, and a set of global management interfaces upon which more advanced management tools can be built. The first task of ONF will be to adopt and then lead the ongoing development of the OpenFlow standard (www.openflow.org) and encourage its adoption by freely licensing it to all member companies. ONF will then begin the process of defining global management interfaces.

OpenFlow enables networks to evolve, by giving a remote controller the power to modify the behavior of network devices, through a well- defined "forwarding instruction set". The growing OpenFlow ecosystem now includes routers, switches, virtual switches, and access points from a range of vendors." (http://www.openflow.org/)