Testing SDN behavior with Mininet
With a simple software update for the OpenFlow controller, a network admin can often change the entire behavior of an OpenFlow-based network [1]. You can even write the update yourself – after all, most controllers are available under open source licenses – but how do you find out whether your controller extension harmonizes with the topology of the production network? It would be too bad if you enabled your changes and the routing or the firewall went rogue. If you want to test the update extensively in a controlled environment first, you will turn to Mininet [2] sooner or later.
Sandbox for Network Admins
Mininet describes itself as "An instant virtual network on your laptop (or other PC)." With Mininet, you only need a single Linux system to emulate a network that deploys hundreds of virtual switches and hosts. Mininet can thus emulate a complete network with connected computers on a single machine; the host hardware decides the maximum number of switches and virtual hosts you can use. With an OpenFlow controller, you can then control this test network at will, and the emulated hosts will run any unmodified Linux program. Therefore, you can use Mininet to check whether and how the changed network affects individual programs running on it.
Mininet doesn't just test routing and forwarding rules. If you want to change the topology of a real network, you can simulate the consequences in advance using Mininet, or you can use Mininet to evaluate new networks in the planning phase.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.
-
Linux Kernel 6.14 Released
The latest Linux kernel has arrived with extra Rust support and more.
-
EndeavorOS Mercury Neo Available
A new release from the EndeavorOS team ships with Plasma 6.3 and other goodies.
-
Fedora 42 Beta Has Arrived
The Fedora Project has announced the availability of the first beta release for version 42 of the open-source distribution.
-
Dash to Panel Maintainer Quits
Charles Gagnon has stepped away as maintainer of the popular Dash to Panel Gnome extension.
-
CIQ Releases Security-Hardened Version of Rocky Linux
If you're looking for an enterprise-grade Linux distribution that is hardened for business use, there's a new version of Rocky Linux that's sure to make you and your company happy.
-
Gnome’s Dash to Panel Extension Gets a Massive Update
If you're a fan of the Gnome Dash to Panel extension, you'll be thrilled to hear that a new version has been released with a dock mode.
-
Blender App Makes it to the Big Screen
The animated film "Flow" won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025 and Blender was a part of it.
-
Linux Mint Retools the Cinnamon App Launcher
The developers of Linux Mint are working on an improved Cinnamon App Launcher with a better, more accessible UI.
-
New Linux Tool for Security Issues
Seal Security is launching a new solution to automate fixing Linux vulnerabilities.