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.

OpenFlow terms

• Datapath - OpenFlow term for a OpenFlow device.

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

• flow - Instructions generated by the controller that specify actions to be taken on packets based on their headers. These are summarized into flow tables on the switch.

• Legacy VLANs - OpenFlow term for regular VLANs.

• 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.

• OpenFlow Protocol - A TCP-based protocol used by OpenFlow enabled network devices use to communicate with their controller.

• OpenFlow VLANs - legacy VLANs on which the virtual switches will run as overlay infrastructure.

• 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).

Plain vanilla networking

• Dot1Q (802.1Q) - A standard that provides identification of VLANs on trunk connections so they can communicate with others. A better definition: ​http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.1Q

• L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) - A technology that allows Ethernet frames to be routed around in IP headers. Allows for connection of two remote networks under one broadcast domain, or using Layer 2. Powered by vtun and brctl.

• PVST+ (Per VLAN Spanning Tree Plus) - A Cisco- proprietary implementation of spanning-tree on VLANs also configured by default in the IP8800

• STP (802.1D/Spanning Tree Protocol) - A protocol that generates redundant network paths in the LAN by overlaying a tree topology over networks with physical loops.

• SNMP - A network management protocol that automates information collection on a network.

• SNMP Agent - Software residing on a network device (switches, routers, printers) that collects information from the device and reports errors on the network

• SNMP Manager - Software that queries agents for information regarding a device and keeps SNMP-related logs.

• MIB (Management Information Base) - A hierarchical database organizing all of the types of information that can be collected using SNMP i.e. port status, system name, ect.

• SNMPget - Manager query for a single parameter (a leaf on the MIB tree) from the agent.

• SNMPgetbulk - Manager query for multiple parameters (a branch) from the agent. Synonymous to snmpwalk .

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

• Native VLAN - A VLAN whose frames remain as normal (native) Ethernet frames on the trunk. On the IP8800, it also refers to the virtual interface that allows you to assign an IP address to a VLAN.

• VLAN ID - A unique identifier given to VLANs when Dot1Q is used.