Benchmarking Network Functionality: Performance Evaluation of SDN Controllers on Different Network Functions

Network Softwarization revolutionizes infrastructure by introducing programmable network functions, leading to scalable, agile, and efficient networks. This innovation facilitates adaptable, secure Next Generation Networks, transforming connectivity. This study conducts a comparative analysis of SDN-based network functions utilizing three different controllers: Open vSwitch (OVS), OpenFlow Reference controller, and RYU, to understand their impact on packet loss and jitter. The OpenFlow Reference controller, primarily used for educational and basic experimental purposes, serves as a baseline. The OVS controller, operating within the Open vSwitch framework in Mininet, offers a practical level of network management capability, more advanced than the OpenFlow Reference controller yet not as comprehensive as the RYU Controller, a production-grade SDN controller. Our research aims to fill the gap in comparative performance analysis of these controllers, particularly in hybrid round-robin-based load balancing and firewall implementations. Recognizing the operational reality of SDN deployments, we explore both reactive and proactive modes, acknowledging that real-world applications like firewalls and load balancers often operate proactively with pre-populated rules, affecting data plane performance. The findings provide insights into each controller’s effectiveness, with OVS and RYU showing enhanced capability in reducing packet loss and jitter compared to the OpenFlow Reference controller. This research not only sheds light on the functional behaviors and performance trade-offs of these controllers but also contributes to the broader SDN and NFV discourse, offering a foundation for future academic and practical advancements in the field.