Configuration management protocols

The configuration management protocols such as SNMP lack support for features required for SDN deployments. Transactions across multiple network elements, the ability to back up and restore configuration, error recovery, and operational ease are vital for large scale SDN deployments.

SDN implementations define sets of protocols that support programming the control plane and switching configuration management. Protocols are designed for extensibility, interoperability, and reuse of configuration components to fit into SDN deployment requirements. Protocols can be classified based on their role.

Figure 3: SDN Protocol Classification.

Control plane protocols such as the OpenFlow program the forwarding path, while configuration management protocols such as OVSDB, and NETCONF-based OF-CONFIG are network configuration protocols used for configuring networking equipment, performing switching and routing.

For instance, an action to bring up the interface, creating...