DockSDN: A Hybrid Container-Based SDN Emulation Tool
Erick Petersen, Marco Antonio To · 2020
The next step on computer networks is based on Software Defined Networks (SDNs). The evolution of Internet-based services needs to be agile and efficient nowadays. SDNs promise to bring the previous to next-generation networks, in order to cope with the demand of millions of interconnected devices, with an ever-growing demand of bandwidth for such services. From 5G wireless networks, WiFi6 and new Internet Service Provider (ISPs) backbones, the need for a flexible and fast way to create and test new protocols and applications, push the development of SDNs and its new way of thinking about networks. Like any new technology, SDN protocols and new applications need better test-beds that are close to real environments as possible so they can be tested thoroughly enough to be deployed in production environments. Various tools have been developed over the last years aiming to do the previous, but have lacked some distinct features, limiting the scenarios and results. Our experience and approach of using containers (Dockers) and being able to provide a tool that meets current and future needs, is our biggest contribution to the community. DockSDN is presented on this work, which proposed various benefits and advantages over other tools and provides fast deployment of SDNs scenarios and that is fully scalable through local hardware available or elastic through cloud services. The scientific community will be able to test current or new SDN protocols in environments that are close to real-world as you can get.