Enhancing Control Placement in SDN-IoT Networks Using the Louvain Algorithm and Betweenness-Centrality

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand with an ever-growing number of devices. In this context, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has emerged as a leading approach for effectively managing the dynamic and varied characteristics of IoT devices. Efficient controller placement is a crucial aspect of the SDN-IoT network, where the dynamic and diverse device connections demand responsive network management. This paper presents a novel approach for controller placement in SDN-IoT networks using the Louvain algorithm combined with the Betweenness-Centrality method. The proposed method leverages the Louvain algorithm to identify community structures within the network, representing groups of IoT devices with higher internal connectivity. Controllers are then strategically placed within these communities using the Betweenness-Centrality method. Our solution aims to minimize the number of controllers, reduce communication latency, and improve reliability. The modular nature of the Louvain algorithm allows for scalable and adaptive network segmentation, accommodating changes in network topology and IoT device dynamics. We conduct comprehensive simulations to evaluate the performance of our approach, comparing it with an optimal controller placement strategy. The results indicate enhanced network responsiveness, decreased latency, and improved overall efficiency. Our solution seamlessly adapts to network fluctuations, ensuring resilience in dynamic SDN-IoT environments.