Energy Efficient Minimum Spanning Tree in OpenFlow Networks

Abstract

Software Defined Networking and OpenFlow are enabling a new range of applications and services for tomorrow networks. At the same time, reducing the energy impact of datacentres and carrier networks will be an important topic in next years. The article presents Green MST, a simple OpenFlowcontroller that creates a loop-free layer2 topology according to application specified metrics and permits to reduce the network electric energy consumption. The design and the implementation on a virtual test bed of the controller's prototype are presented as well as the results of initial measurements.