Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for configuring time synchronization in a network. The system includes a time signal source to provide a common time signal to multiple configurable communication devices and a network controller in a control plane, in communication with the multiple configurable communication devices. The network controller is configured to receive time signal source information and to receive device configuration information for a first configurable communication device. The network controller is also configured to determine settings for time signal distribution and to transmit the settings to the multiple configurable communication devices to cause the first configurable communication device to transmit the time signal from the time signal source in a data plane for consumption by the multiple configurable communication devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for operating a configurable communication device. A network controller includes a communication interface to interface with multiple communication devices and a memory storing instructions. The network controller also includes a processor, that when executing the instructions, is configured to determine that a configurable communication device of the plurality of communication devices is to operate in a first control plane type of multiple control plane types configurable to be used by the configurable communication device. The processor is also configured to operate the configurable communication device using the first control plane type and to receive an indication that the configurable communication device is to switch to a second control plane type. Moreover, the processor is configured to cause the configurable communication device to switch to the second control plane type and operate the configurable communication device using the second control plane type.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for operating a configurable communication device. Operating the configurable communication device includes operating the configurable communication device using a first network architecture control plane type. Then, an indication is received to switch at least part of the configurable communication device to using a second network architecture control plane type. In response to the indication, the configurable communication device operates the at least part of the configurable communication device in a hybrid mode utilizing both the first and second network architecture control plane types.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for configuring communication of a communication network in accordance with a configuration file from the hosts that are on the network. The system may include a network controller that receives a configuration file and determines a configuration of the data plane in accordance with information in the configuration file. The network controller may generate communication flows and send instructions to programmable network devices to implement communication among data consuming/producing devices in accordance with the configuration file.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to identifying and configuring an in-band controller operating on a host in a software defined network (SDN), the host configured to use a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a network in communication with the host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. The in-band controller is in communication with the network and includes a PRP identification subsystem to generate a packet configured such that the network forwards the packet back to the in-band controller, to analyze the packet and determine that the packet conforms to PRP, and to identify a first communication host in communication with the network and configured to operate using PRP. A traffic routing subsystem of the in-band controller may create a plurality of PRP communication flows between the in-band controller and the first communication host.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to identifying and configuring an in-band controller operating on a host in a software defined network (SDN), the host configured to use a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a network in communication with the host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. The in-band controller is in communication with the network and includes a PRP identification subsystem to generate a packet configured such that the network forwards the packet back to the in-band controller, to analyze the packet and determine that the packet conforms to PRP, and to identify a first communication host in communication with the network and configured to operate using PRP. A traffic routing subsystem of the in-band controller may create a plurality of PRP communication flows between the in-band controller and the first communication host.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to identifying and configuring an in-band controller operating on a host in a software defined network (SDN), the host configured to use a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a network in communication with the host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. The in-band controller is in communication with the network and includes a PRP identification subsystem to generate a packet configured such that the network forwards the packet back to the in-band controller, to analyze the packet and determine that the packet conforms to PRP, and to identify a first communication host in communication with the network and configured to operate using PRP. A traffic routing subsystem of the in-band controller may create a plurality of PRP communication flows between the in-band controller and the first communication host.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to systems and methods to improve fault tolerance and hardware utilization in a software defined network (SDN) that includes hosts communicating with parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a network comprising a plurality of switches and interconnected using a plurality of physical links may connect a first communication host, a second communication host, and an SDN controller. The SDN controller may include a PRP optimization subsystem to identify parallel communication paths between the first communication host and the second communication host that utilize distinct physical communication links. The SDN controller may also include a traffic routing subsystem to create a plurality of communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host utilizing the distinct physical communication links.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to systems and methods for identifying and configuring a host in a software defined network (SDN) configured to communicate using a parallel redundancy protocol (PRP). In one embodiment, a system may include a first communication host and a second communication host configured to transmit information through a network. An SDN controller in communication with the network may include a PRP identification subsystem to monitor traffic transmitted by the first communication host to the second communication host, determine that the traffic comprises at least one data packet that conforms to PRP. Upon detection of a host configured to use PRP, a traffic routing subsystem creates a plurality of communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic between the first communication host and the second communication host.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for automating the configuration of a software defined network (“SDN”). In one embodiment, a system may include a first communication host and a second communication host configured to transmit information to the first communication host. A network may provide communication between the first communication host and the second communication host using a plurality of network devices. An SDN controller in communication with the network may include an approved service subsystem to match the communication with an approved service. The SDN controller may also include an analysis subsystem configured to identify a communication flow corresponding to information transmitted by the second communication host to the first communication host. A traffic routing subsystem of the SDN controller may create the communication flow identified by the analysis subsystem between the second communication host and the first communication host.

Abstract: A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. A memory device of the networking device may store at least first and second network operation profiles for selective implementation during defined event windows. The event window(s) may be defined by start event inputs and stop event inputs. The event inputs may include, without limitation, a combination of parameter-based inputs and/or temporal inputs. In one specific embodiment, the networking device detects a network event and modifies a network operation profile for a preset time period and/or until an interrupt or stop event is detected.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to identifying a host using parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and properly configuring communication circuits for the device in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system includes a network in communication with a first communication host and a second communication host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. An SDN controller in communication with the network includes a PRP identification subsystem to identify PRP traffic from the first communication host and destined for the second communication host. The SDN controller generates a first address resolution protocol (ARP) message directed to the second communication host and receive a first response from the second communication host to the ARP message that conforms to PRP. Based on the response, a traffic routing subsystem provisions communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for eliminating Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) traffic in data networks. In one embodiment, a controller in a software-defined network (SDN) may generate a plurality of communication flows. The controller may program a plurality of network devices in a data plane based on the plurality of communication flows. A packet to be transmitted in the data plane may be received from a transmitting host by one of the plurality of network devices. A destination host specified in the packet may be determined without reliance on an original media access control (MAC) address in the packet, and the packet may be routed to the destination host.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of handling Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) responses in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may comprise a controller in a control plane to generate an address store comprising information associated with a plurality of devices in communication with the SDN. The controller may also program a plurality of network devices in a data plane based on a plurality of communication flows. The network devices may forward traffic according to the plurality of communication flows received from the controller. The network device may also receive: a request from the first device for information associated with the second device, determine that the first device is authorized to communicate with the second device based on the plurality of communication flows, and generate a response to the request comprising the information associated with the second device based on the address store.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for generation of a physical and logical design of a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may receive a plurality of user-provided parameters associated with a plurality of performance requirements of the SDN. A library may include performance metrics of a plurality of devices comprised in the SDN. An SDN design subsystem may generate the physical and logical design of the SDN based on the user-provided parameters and the performance metrics of the devices in the library. A traffic routing subsystem may generate a plurality of communication flows based on the logical design of the physical and logical design and to be implemented by the SDN. An SDN simulation subsystem may generate an assessment of the physical and logical design of the SDN and the plurality of communication flows in comparison to the user-provided parameters.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for generation of a physical and logical design of a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may receive a plurality of user-provided parameters associated with a plurality of performance requirements of the SDN. A library may include performance metrics of a plurality of devices comprised in the SDN. An SDN design subsystem may generate the physical and logical design of the SDN based on the user-provided parameters and the performance metrics of the devices in the library. A traffic routing subsystem may generate a plurality of communication flows based on the logical design of the physical and logical design and to be implemented by the SDN. An SDN simulation subsystem may generate an assessment of the physical and logical design of the SDN and the plurality of communication flows in comparison to the user-provided parameters.

Abstract: A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. A memory device of the networking device may store at least first and second network operation profiles for selective implementation during defined event windows. The event window(s) may be defined by start event inputs and stop event inputs. The event inputs may include, without limitation, a combination of parameter-based inputs and/or temporal inputs. In one specific embodiment, the networking device detects a network event and modifies a network operation profile for a preset time period and/or until an interrupt or stop event is detected.

Abstract: A software-defined network controller (SDN controller) defines a first network flow to be selectively implemented by a networking device according to a first network operation profile. The SDN controller defines a second network flow to be selectively implemented by the networking device according to a second network operation profile. A memory device of the networking device may store at least first and second network operation profiles for selective implementation during defined event windows. The event window(s) may be defined by start event inputs and stop event inputs. The event inputs may include, without limitation, a combination of parameter-based inputs and/or temporal inputs. In one specific embodiment, the networking device detects a network event and modifies a network operation profile for a preset time period and/or until an interrupt or stop event is detected.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of handling Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) responses in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system may comprise a controller in a control plane to generate an address store comprising information associated with a plurality of devices in communication with the SDN. The controller may also program a plurality of network devices in a data plane based on a plurality of communication flows. The network devices may forward traffic according to the plurality of communication flows received from the controller. The network device may also receive: a request from the first device for information associated with the second device, determine that the first device is authorized to communicate with the second device based on the plurality of communication flows, and generate a response to the request comprising the information associated with the second device based on the address store.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods of monitoring communication devices and communication links in a software-defined network (SDN). Network packets may be colored or tagged for routing to a packet analyzer. A VLAN bitmask may be added to a packet to identify the packet for inspection and, optionally, provide origin information identify a switch and/or port of origin. Port mirroring may be utilized and/or eventual routing of network packets to their original destination may ensure that network traffic is not disrupted. In one example, a most significant bit of a VLAN bitmask may be used by a match rule to identify packets intended for a packet analyzer without regard to original packet routing instructions and/or packet content.