Glossary

Much networking and OpenFlow specific terminology was, and continue to be, thrown around — This is where they ultimately end up. As of now, alphabetical order to the best of ability.

Legacy VLANs, OpenFlow VLANs, and virtual switches

• VLAN - A software based construct that groups hosts into the same broadcast domain based on MAC address.

• Legacy VLANs - OpenFlow term for regular VLANs.

• OpenFlow VLANs - legacy VLANs on which the virtual switches will run as overlay infrastructure. the VLAN number becomes the virtual switch's VLAN ID

• Virtual switches - Switches that use OpenFlow protocol to communicate with a Controller and process packets according to flow tables. They are OpenFlow implementations of overlay networks on switches identified by the VLAN ID and the the 12-digit dpid (Datapath identifier).

• Datapath Identifier (dpid) - A 12-digit, hexadecimal number used to identify a virtual switch.

• flow table - Instructions generated by the controller that specify actions to be taken on packets based on their headers.

• Network Operating System (NOS) - NOX terminology for software that allows administration to monitor, manage, and configure a network as if it is a centralized entity.