Testing SDN behavior with Mininet
With a simple software update for the OpenFlow controller, a network admin can often change the entire behavior of an OpenFlow-based network [1]. You can even write the update yourself – after all, most controllers are available under open source licenses – but how do you find out whether your controller extension harmonizes with the topology of the production network? It would be too bad if you enabled your changes and the routing or the firewall went rogue. If you want to test the update extensively in a controlled environment first, you will turn to Mininet [2] sooner or later.
Sandbox for Network Admins
Mininet describes itself as "An instant virtual network on your laptop (or other PC)." With Mininet, you only need a single Linux system to emulate a network that deploys hundreds of virtual switches and hosts. Mininet can thus emulate a complete network with connected computers on a single machine; the host hardware decides the maximum number of switches and virtual hosts you can use. With an OpenFlow controller, you can then control this test network at will, and the emulated hosts will run any unmodified Linux program. Therefore, you can use Mininet to check whether and how the changed network affects individual programs running on it.
Mininet doesn't just test routing and forwarding rules. If you want to change the topology of a real network, you can simulate the consequences in advance using Mininet, or you can use Mininet to evaluate new networks in the planning phase.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 Drops bcachefs
After a clash over some late fixes and disagreements between bcachefs's lead developer and Linus Torvalds, bachefs is out.
-
ONLYOFFICE v9 Embraces AI
Like nearly all office suites on the market (except LibreOffice), ONLYOFFICE has decided to go the AI route.
-
Two Local Privilege Escalation Flaws Discovered in Linux
Qualys researchers have discovered two local privilege escalation vulnerabilities that allow hackers to gain root privileges on major Linux distributions.
-
New TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro Powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300
The TUXEDO InfinityBook Pro 14 Gen10 offers serious power that is ready for your business, development, or entertainment needs.
-
Danish Ministry of Digital Affairs Transitions to Linux
Another major organization has decided to kick Microsoft Windows and Office to the curb in favor of Linux.
-
Linux Mint 20 Reaches EOL
With Linux Mint 20 at its end of life, the time has arrived to upgrade to Linux Mint 22.
-
TuxCare Announces Support for AlmaLinux 9.2
Thanks to TuxCare, AlmaLinux 9.2 (and soon version 9.6) now enjoys years of ongoing patching and compliance.
-
Go-Based Botnet Attacking IoT Devices
Using an SSH credential brute-force attack, the Go-based PumaBot is exploiting IoT devices everywhere.
-
Plasma 6.5 Promises Better Memory Optimization
With the stable Plasma 6.4 on the horizon, KDE has a few new tricks up its sleeve for Plasma 6.5.
-
KaOS 2025.05 Officially Qt5 Free
If you're a fan of independent Linux distributions, the team behind KaOS is proud to announce the latest iteration that includes kernel 6.14 and KDE's Plasma 6.3.5.