Implementing a firewall functionality for mesh networks using SDN controller

Abstract

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is the emerging network architecture which splits the functions of networking devices into two groups, namely the control plane and the data plane. The separation of the control plane from the data plane has enabled innovation, making it feasible to control, monitor and manage a network from a centralized node (the SDN controller). POX is python based-SDN controller and an API for POX controller is firewall functionality. This paper presents a layer 3 firewall implementation using a full mesh topology with 1 controller and 6 switches with 1 host per switch. A modification of the Learning switch code for POX controller is done for a full mesh topology by using Mininet network emulator and the flow of packets between the hosts is controlled according to the rules inserted in the Learning switch using OpenFlow controller.