Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems for generating a shortest data path for data packets. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to exclude switches at or near their maximum capacity of flow entries from the shortest data path calculation. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to reduce the “lag time” users can experience while waiting for data packets to be forwarded through different switches.

Abstract: An OpenFlow network controller controls an OpenFlow network. A networking connection is established between the OpenFlow network controller and an OpenFlow network device attempting to become part of the OpenFlow network. After establishing the networking connection with the OpenFlow network device, the OpenFlow network controller attempts to authenticate the OpenFlow network device. Where authentication of the OpenFlow network device is successful, the OpenFlow network controller sends a message to the OpenFlow network device to indicate that the authentication was successful and permits the OpenFlow network device to join and perform OpenFlow messaging.

Abstract: A first information comprising an identification of an encryption algorithm supported by a first component from the first component of a software defined network (SDN) is received at a controller of the SDN. A set of policies and a set of encryption algorithms are sent to the first component. A policy determines a cryptographic operation applicable to a path in the SDN between the first component and a second component of the SDN. The first component comprises an originating point of the path and the second component comprises a destination point of the path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a software defined network (SDN) controller connected to SDN-capable switch(es), the SDN controller being configured to communicate with and program the SDN-capable switches, wherein each of the SDN-capable switches is configured to communicate with the SDN controller, one or more fiber channel forwarders (FCFs) connected to the SDN-capable switches, storage area network (SAN) fabric(s), and local area network (LAN) fabric(s), and at least one end node connected directly or indirectly to the SDN-capable switches and/or the one or more FCFs, wherein the SDN controller is configured to collect information from the one or more FCFs that corresponds with each of the one or more FCFs via fiber channel initialization protocol (FIP) advertisement frames, and create and manage a FCF database, the FCF database including the information that corresponds with each of the one or more FCFs.

Abstract: An OpenFlow network controller controls an OpenFlow network. A networking connection is established between the OpenFlow network controller and an OpenFlow network device attempting to become part of the OpenFlow network. After establishing the networking connection with the OpenFlow network device, the OpenFlow network controller attempts to authenticate the OpenFlow network device. Where authentication of the OpenFlow network device is successful, the OpenFlow network controller sends a message to the OpenFlow network device to indicate that the authentication was successful and permits the OpenFlow network device to join and perform OpenFlow messaging.

Abstract: A system to communicate between a first network and a second network includes a first network, a second network, and a connecting device connected there between. The first network has a first network protocol and includes a plurality of network nodes. The second network has a second protocol different from the first protocol and includes a plurality of network switches and a controller. The connecting device transmits data from an originating network node to a destination network switch and transmits data from an originating network switch to a destination network node according to a packet routing table populated from the plurality of network nodes and a packet flow table populated from the plurality of network switches. The controller may determine the destination network switch by constructing and transmitting an ARP broadcast message to the plurality of network switches and receiving an ARP response from the destination network switch.

Abstract: Switches in a virtual networking environment may be synchronized by providing virtual networking policies to multiple switches connected to a virtual machine. The multiple switches may form a virtual link aggregate group. Virtual networking policies corresponding to the virtual machine may be provided via packets sent to the multiple switches in the link aggregate group. In some embodiments, the packet may be sent under the IEEE 802.1Qbg protocol.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for of a Multicast system by a controller in a software defined network. The method may include, receiving a request for a multicast stream from a first switch of the software defined network. The request may have originated from a requestor using an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). The method may further include, adding the request to a table, wherein the table is designated to have requests from IGMP using requestors for multicast streams. The method may further include, determining whether the request for the multicast stream matches with a multicast data transmission from a sender received by the controller. The method may further include, initiating a connection of the multicast between the requestor and the sender if the request matches the multicast data transmission.

Abstract: Described are methods of communicating network device information between network devices. A communication is established between a first network device and a second network device according to a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). The method further comprises an LLDP advertisement message is output in the communication from the second network device to the first network device. The first network device determines whether the second network device processes fragmented packets by searching the LLDP advertisement message for a fragmentation time length value (TLV) field. The second network device outputs to the first network device a plurality of packet fragments in response to a determination that the LLDP advertisement message includes the fragmentation TLV field.

Abstract: A system to communicate between a first network and a second network includes a first network, a second network, and a connecting device connected there between. The first network has a first network protocol and includes a plurality of network nodes. The second network has a second protocol different from the first protocol and includes a plurality of network switches and a controller. The connecting device transmits data from an originating network node to a destination network switch and transmits data from an originating network switch to a destination network node according to a packet routing table populated from the plurality of network nodes and a packet flow table populated from the plurality of network switches. The controller may determine the destination network switch by constructing and transmitting an ARP broadcast message to the plurality of network switches and receiving an ARP response from the destination network switch.

Abstract: Switches in a virtual networking environment may be synchronized by providing virtual networking policies to multiple switches connected to a virtual machine. The multiple switches may form a virtual link aggregate group. Virtual networking policies corresponding to the virtual machine may be provided via packets sent to the multiple switches in the link aggregate group. In some embodiments, the packet may be sent under the IEEE 802.1Qbg protocol.

Abstract: An OpenFlow network controller controls an OpenFlow network. A networking connection is established between the OpenFlow network controller and an OpenFlow network device attempting to become part of the OpenFlow network. After establishing the networking connection with the OpenFlow network device, the OpenFlow network controller attempts to authenticate the OpenFlow network device. Where authentication of the OpenFlow network device is successful, the OpenFlow network controller sends a message to the OpenFlow network device to indicate that the authentication was successful and permits the OpenFlow network device to join and perform OpenFlow messaging.

Abstract: An OpenFlow network controller controls an OpenFlow network. A networking connection is established between the OpenFlow network controller and an OpenFlow network device attempting to become part of the OpenFlow network. After establishing the networking connection with the OpenFlow network device, the OpenFlow network controller attempts to authenticate the OpenFlow network device. Where authentication of the OpenFlow network device is successful, the OpenFlow network controller sends a message to the OpenFlow network device to indicate that the authentication was successful and permits the OpenFlow network device to join and perform OpenFlow messaging.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for of a Multicast system by a controller in a software defined network. The method may include, receiving a request for a multicast stream from a first switch of the software defined network. The request may have originated from a requestor using an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). The method may further include, adding the request to a table, wherein the table is designated to have requests from IGMP using requestors for multicast streams. The method may further include, determining whether the request for the multicast stream matches with a multicast data transmission from a sender received by the controller. The method may further include, initiating a connection of the multicast between the requestor and the sender if the request matches the multicast data transmission.

Abstract: Systems for communicating network device information between network devices. A communication is established between a first network device and a second network device according to a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). An LLDP advertisement message is output in the communication from the second network device to the first network device. The first network device determines whether the second network device processes fragmented packets by searching the LLDP advertisement message for a fragmentation time length value (TLV) field. The second network device outputs to the first network device a plurality of packet fragments in response to a determination that the LLDP advertisement message includes the fragmentation TLV field.

Abstract: An OpenFlow network controller controls an OpenFlow network. A networking connection is established between the OpenFlow network controller and an OpenFlow network device attempting to become part of the OpenFlow network. After establishing the networking connection with the OpenFlow network device, the OpenFlow network controller attempts to authenticate the OpenFlow network device. Where authentication of the OpenFlow network device is successful, the OpenFlow network controller sends a message to the OpenFlow network device to indicate that the authentication was successful and permits the OpenFlow network device to join and perform OpenFlow messaging.

Abstract: Described are methods of communicating network device information between network devices. A communication is established between a first network device and a second network device according to a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). The method further comprises an LLDP advertisement message is output in the communication from the second network device to the first network device. The first network device determines whether the second network device processes fragmented packets by searching the LLDP advertisement message for a fragmentation time length value (TLV) field. The second network device outputs to the first network device a plurality of packet fragments in response to a determination that the LLDP advertisement message includes the fragmentation TLV field.

Abstract: Systems for communicating network device information between network devices. A communication is established between a first network device and a second network device according to a link layer discovery protocol (LLDP). An LLDP advertisement message is output in the communication from the second network device to the first network device. The first network device determines whether the second network device processes fragmented packets by searching the LLDP advertisement message for a fragmentation time length value (TLV) field. The second network device outputs to the first network device a plurality of packet fragments in response to a determination that the LLDP advertisement message includes the fragmentation TLV field.