Developing a Multipath-TCP Analyzer using Software Defined Networking

Published in: Global Partnerships for Development and Engineering Education: Proceedings of the 15th LACCEI International Multi-Conference for Engineering, Education and Technology
Date of Conference: July 19-21, 2017
Location of Conference: Boca Raton, FL, United States
Authors: Ivan Bernal, PhD. (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, EC)
David Mejia, MS. (Escuela Politecnica Nacional, EC)
Carlos Cajas, Eng. (Escuela Politecnica Nacional, EC)
Christian Valdivieso, Eng. (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, EC)
Full Paper: #264

Abstract:

MP-TCP (MultiPath-Transmission Control Protocol) is a network protocol that uses subflows for allowing the existence of disjoint paths and increases the overall throughput with respect to employing a common TCP connection. The idea of analyzing MP-TCP messages using the principles of SDN (Software Defined Networking) is proposed. Relevant aspects of how the Analyzer was developed as a module for OpenDayLight’s SDN framework are presented. The Analyzer runs in the SDN controller and it commands the installation of appropriate rules in the network devices (switches supporting Openflow) so that all TCP traffic be derived to the controller. Then the Analyzer must identify MP-TCP messages by checking the options field of TCP and present all the related information to the user employing a GUI (Graphical User Interface). By combining the usage of proactive and reactive rules, the Analyzer’s implementation tries to minimize the impact of sending TCP traffic to the controller. The Analyzer has been tested with other modules (e.g. Layer 2 Switch) that are included with OpenDayLight; this is done for showing that it is possible that the Analyzer may not interfere with other running modules. Some results obtained with the Analyzer when using physical and virtual switches in different topologies in a network using MP-TCP are presented. Simulation results using MP-TCP with Mininet are also discussed.