OpenSDWN

TLDR

Rapid growth in wireless demand and diverse application needs clash with inflexible WiFi management. The paper introduces and evaluates OpenSDWN, a WiFi architecture that applies SDN/NFV principles. OpenSDWN leverages datapath programmability to deliver per‑client virtual access points and middleboxes, enabling service differentiation, fine‑grained transmission control, mobility support, and the option to outsource home‑network control to a participatory interface or ISP.

Abstract

The quickly growing demand for wireless networks and the numerous application-specific requirements stand in stark contrast to today's inflexible management and operation of WiFi networks. In this paper, we present and evaluate OpenSDWN, a novel WiFi architecture based on an SDN/NFV approach. OpenSDWN exploits datapath programmability to enable service differentiation and fine-grained transmission control, facilitating the prioritization of critical applications. OpenSDWN implements per-client virtual access points and per-client virtual middleboxes, to render network functions more flexible and support mobility and seamless migration. OpenSDWN can also be used to out-source the control over the home network to a participatory interface or to an Internet Service Provider.