Huawei is releasing the source code for its Protocol-Oblivious Forwarding (POF) technology, which is a software-defined networking (SDN) forwarding implementation. Users can freely download and run the software, modify the source code, or develop new features.
Huawei said the goal of its Protocol-Oblivious Forwarding is to evolve the Open Networking Foundation’s OpenFlow protocol towards a more flexible programming model where forwarding devices are no longer limited by pre-defined packet protocols or forwarding rules. Data plane hardware is not limited by hard-wired protocol implementations.
The open-source project provides source code and documents for POF Controller and POF Switch prototypes. The POF Controller is a BSD/Apache-licensed and Java-based OpenFlow controller. It provides a GUI for switch control and configuration. The POF Switch is a BSD-licensed and Linux C-based virtual switch.
“We believe carriers and users of networks can benefit from more flexible switches and reduce the total cost of ownership by focusing on building simpler, fit-for-purpose networks where only the required forwarding behaviors need to be programmed in each switch. Such forwarding plane evolution technologies help remove protocol dependency in forwarding devices and can ultimately enable support of any existing/customized packet-based protocols via generic instructions. We believe that openness and software-based programmability of forwarding devices can help increase the adoption of OpenFlow, particularly in the carrier space where we see a huge potential for simplification.” said Dr. Justin Joubine Dustzadeh, VP of Technology Strategy & CTO of Networks at Huawei Technologies.
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