Software defined networking agent demonstration to enable configuration and management of XGS-PON architectures

This paper describes the design and implementation of an OpenFlow software defined network (SDN) agent that manages and configures 10-gigabit-capable symmetric passive optical network (XGS-PON) architectures. Acting as an OpenFlow switch, the SDN agent communicates with an SDN controller using OpenFlow, while holding direct communication with the optical line terminal (OLT) through the chipset manufacturer-specific application programming interface, eliminating the need for emulating SDN layers in hardware devices. The proposal was evaluated through experiments conducted on a White Box XGS-PON OLT using the Open Network Operating System. The results demonstrate that the proposal facilitates a real-time SDN configuration of various Internet services, successfully fulfilling different quality of service requirements. Due to its ease of deployment, low complexity, smooth learning curve, scalability, and flexibility in integrating services, the proposal has significant potential. As a result, it offers a rapid SDN solution for configuring and testing new functionalities with minimal programming changes required in specific layers of the developed SDN agent.