What is load balancing in SDN?

In simple words, Software Defined Networking (SDN) is defined as the software-based network control architecture. Here, it uses an external controller to isolate the data plane from the control plane. Like classic networks, the SDN performance and availability are greatly impacted by the load balancing. So, the SDN load balancing solutions are influenced by Controller Placement Problem (CPP).

This page is prepared to exhibit the importance and simulation of load balancing techniques in SDN architecture!!!

Load balancing for data center networks (DCN) – SDN

In recent days, everything is accessed through web-based applications. So, the online cloud users’ percentage also gradually increasing in real-world environs. To manage and compute all cloud-related applications, Data Center Networking (DCN) acts as a backbone.

• Problems – Because of larger network size, it often falls under connectivity failures, high traffic congestion, and operational cost.
• Solutions – To solve this issue, SDN uses a load balancer for enhancing network efficiency. The role of the load balancer is to share the traffic in numerous paths for network optimization.  

Our developers are very proficient in the area of load balancing in an SDN environment. Since we have designed and developed countless projects in different dimensions. Our ultimate goal is to meet our handhold scholar’s research expectation through appropriate research ideas and solutions. So, this makes the scholars choose us every time without any choices. If you are interested to know intelligent techniques to solve the standard load balancing issue in the large-scale network then approach us. We will surely guide you in a modern way by using advancing technologies. We hope that you are clear with developing load balancing in SDN.  For your information, here we have given you two primary methods involved in load balancing.

Methodologies

Interval mode method

Once the data are collected from the above steps, pass the output of K Path algorithm as input to Algorithm 2. Then, take other new K-paths every 5 minutes.

• Evaluator Algorithm
  • It assesses the k paths acquired from Algorithm 1
  • Parameters – packet count, transmission time (from one host to another), byte rate, and port forward rate

Overall, the interval mode method represents the evaluation of top-k paths using the evaluator algorithm.

Data collector method

• Traffic Data Collector
  • Generally, the path selection of load balancing is based on the certain parameter values
  • It helps to acquire those parameters for effective decision
• Topology Link Collector
  • It gathers the information of links that form the topology
  • It is performed through LLDP packets distribution to each node

Then, the collected data packets are transmitted between source and destination using packet count forwarding rate, transmit time between source and destination, and byte count. And, the following methods are used to select the optimal path for packet transmission.

• K Path Algorithm
  • It works based on the possible number of paths to transmit the packets from sender node to receiver node
• Path Evaluator Method
  • It comprises two main approaches: evaluator function and Top-K path algorithm

Overall, the data collector method is executed through start and interval variants. On the one hand, the start variant identifies the top-k paths using Floyd’s algorithm. On the other hand, the interval variant identifies the optimal path using the result of the traffic data collector for data transmission.

           Next, we can see the significant term which popularly used in the field of SDN-based load balancing. These terms provide you the overall picture of the SDN architecture and load balancing along with their support network entities and simulator. All these are basic requirements for developing the project of load balancing in SDN. We assure you that we provide complete assistance in selecting advanced load balancing techniques along with implementation support. In specific, we are smart to improve the performance of the algorithm by selecting suitable parameters.

Terminologies Load Balancing in SDN

• SDN
  • It is a software-based architecture to control the network activities in a smooth way. Also, it enhances the network performance based on the code of the software program
  • SDN is the network intelligence that logically works under the control of the central system
  • Here, the intelligence means the algorithm of the SDN-controller to manage the routing process and packets flow
• Path
  • It is the wireless connectivity between source and destination. Further, it comprises links of other nodes and switches.
  • In conventional methods of load balancing, the data are transmitted through the path at first. Moreover, it also causes a bottleneck in any of the single node
  • This issue can be solved by the path load balancing technique since it uses SDN for load distribution based on certain parameters
• OpenFlow
  • It is the most important and standard technology in the SDN
  • Mainly, it is designed with an intention to provide data sharing among forwarding layers and SDN controller
  • In this, the Software Defined Networking controller makes decisions over path selection for packet forwarding and traffic control
  • SDN controllers – RYU, ONOS, Floodlight, POX, NOX, etc.
• Mininet
  • It is the network simulator tool to design and simulate the desired network topology and perform packet distribution between ONOS controller and switches
  • And, it is used to graphically depict the controlled network structure and packet transmission between the hosts
  • Enable to overcome the traffic congestion issue by efficient path optimization techniques with OpenFlow protocol
  • Able to control and change the paths while data flow in the network through smart decisions
  • Utilize path optimization algorithms for optimal path selection based on the link load from the data center network
  • Since the data center network delivers the load statistics of each switch to the SDN controller
• Load balancing
  • It is used to manage the network traffic/load efficiently.
  • And, it balances the network resources and optimizes network performance by efficient load allocation
  • Further, it prevents or reduces the traffic congestion
  • Overall, it shares the workload between several servers in a dynamic way to increase system performance

For illustration purposes, here we have given the sample implementation demonstration on SDN-assisted load balancing. This provides you with end-to-end information on how the load balancing algorithm helps you to improve the network performance with the help of an SDN controller. For that, here we have included the essential software requirements for implementing an SDN-assisted load balancing project.

SDN Simulation

• Requirements
  • Network Entities
    • Open Flow protocol (version 1.3)
    • Floodlight controller
  • Operating System – Ubuntu 14.04
  • Minimum RAM – 4.00GB
  • Processor – Intel(R) Core (TM) i7- 3770, 3.40 GHz
• Task – Implementation of Load Balancing in SDN
• Implementation Tool – Mininet

Here, we have given the steps for developing an SDN-assisted load balancing project.

Simulation Steps

• Create the network environment in flat tree topology with 8 hosts (VM) and 10 OpenFlow switches
• Then using Iperf, compute the number of controller responses / second and number of flows/second
• Next, test the 2 hosts which are linked with various switches
  • Use RR load balancer to connect created network topology with floodlight controller
  • Perform load balancing between 2 hosts through the proposed dynamic load balancing technique
  • Accomplish the expected throughput

Simulation Analysis

As mentioned earlier, we have implemented the above simulation of load balancing in SDN using Mininet along with ONOS controller. These two provide a sophisticated environment for designing and simulating network topology with planned load balancing strategies.

• In particular, ONOS controller takes advantage of Java resources for configuring and modeling the network controllers in a fast and accurate
• Similarly, Mininet creates the fast connectors linkage, network formation, connection between the server and local network (switches and controllers)
• Further, this lightweight platform make Mininet execute over the virtual box (Linux based host) and configure OpenFlow apps
• Overall, Mininet efficiency is measured by means of configured Linux version and capability

On the whole, we tried to prove the network efficiency by testing the load balancing strategies which is applied between two hosts. 

• Used 8 host users and 6 OpenFlow switches for network testing
• Openflow switches are identified by a switch ID
• Connected Hosts are identified by host ID
• Analyze the load over the network using the load balancing technique
• Examine the results by following parameters

SDN Simulation Parameters

• Performance Analysis
  • Delay  
• Effectiveness
  • Path Evaluation

Further, if you have queries related to advancement and research topics then approach us. We provide you with comprehensive information on your required phase with practical support using Omnet++ simulator. We assure you that our results are accurate and high-quality. So, make use of this chance to avail the best project of load balancing in SDN.