Dynamic Bandwith Utitlization in Software Defined-Based Campus Networks
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KNUST
Abstract
The efficient utilization of bandwidth in campus networks is a major traffic engineering issue.
It requires a complete knowledge of the underlying physical network architecture as well a
means to automate or reactively and proactively program the network. The static nature of
traditional network creates a hurdle that must be overcome to achieve the above. The
Software Defined Network architecture proposes a novel way to automate, program and
dynamically configure computer networks. This work uses the VMware virtualization
software and the GNS3 network emulator to convert a traditional campus network into a
Software Defined-based campus network. A data plane made up of software-based replicas of
network devices is designed and configured to connect to a controller software. A network
application scheme is implemented by leveraging the Hierarchical Token Bucket Queuing
Discipline which automatically programs bandwidth allocation at the data plane through the
controller based on traffic demands. The functionality of the architecture is tested by carrying
out a number of parallel-connections to simulate changing traffic patterns. This is done using
the Iperf Application. The results show the conversion of a traditional campus network into a
Software Defined-based campus network. It also depicts the complete emulation of the entire
Software Defined-based campus network. At the data plane of the emulated network, devices
are able to forward packets to one another with the most active port forwarding about 9,000
packets. The controller obtains a global of all 11-network devices in the emulated network.
The latency between the controller and the software defined switches at the data plane ranges
between 50 and 62.5 milliseconds. The throughput between the controller and the software
defined switches at the plane ranges between 2 and 9 Mbps. Application Plane to Control
Plane communication in the emulated network is executed in an average of 30 milliseconds
and bandwidth utilization occurs in a minimum of 11seconds and peaks at 27.5 seconds. It
however becomes steady at 17 seconds as traffic patterns vary
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Telecommunications Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of,MPhil. Telecommunication Engineering