Floodlight is an Apache-licensed OpenFlow controller.

1. Floodlight: A Java-based OpenFlow
Controller
Michael Cohen
11/11/11

2. Floodlight Overview
Floodlight is a completely open, free, Apache-
licensed Java-based OpenFlow controller.
The Floodlight projected emerged from
Beacon, a project created by David Erickson of
Stanford.

3. Why Floodlight?
• Java-based (forked from Beacon)
• Apache Licensed
– A solid foundation for *any* purpose
• Pure java (no OSGI know how required)
– Eclipse supported but not required
• Dead simple to build and run.
– “ant” + “java –jar floodlight.jar”
• Tested and hardened in real environments
– Physical OpenFlow switches and real networks
– Code included in a commercial product from Big Switch Networks

4. Floodlight Programming Model
Application
• Java Event
Listeners for
Application Application
OpenFlow
REST APIs
• switch stats events
PACKET_IN • counter values
PACKET_OUT • static flow add
FLOW_MOD /remove
FLOW_REMOVED
…
• Extensible
SwitchListener
REST APIs
Floodlight
Controller

5. Floodlight Architecture REST APIs
Topology - Tracks links between hosts and
switches Java Listeners
Device Manager - Tracks devices in the network Learning Static
(MACs, IPs, etc.) Hub
Switch FlowPusher
Storage - Abstraction layer for storing controller
storage. Memory is used today
Counter Store – Openflow + Floodlight stats
Routing / Forwarding – Core engine for Counter Routing /
Web
storing, calculating paths and installing flows. Store Forward
Web - Rest APIs
Device
Learning Switch - Example learning switch Topology Storage
Manager
application. Can replace Routing / Forwarding
Hub - Example hub application. Can replace Floodlight
routing / forwarding

6. Example: A Simple Hub (pseudo-code)
public class Hub {
public void startup() {
Add Listener(PACKET_IN);
}
public void shutdown() {
Remove Listener(PACKET_IN);
}
public Command receive (…) [
Setup OFPP_FLOOD action;
Write action to switch socket;
return Command.CONTINUE;
}
public boolean isCallbackOrdering Preqreq(…) {
// does anything need to be called before me?
return False;
}
}

7. Building and Running Floodlight
• Build
– $ cd openflowj; ant;
– $ cd ../floodlight; ant;
• Run
– java –jar floodlight.jar
• That’s all there is to it…

8. Floodlight Roadmap
• Persistent storage
• Multi language support
• Static Flow Addition / Removal
• Richer API layer (both REST and Java event-
based)

9. Interested in Learning More?
• Check out the website:
– http://floodlight.openflowhub.org
• Join the mailing list:
– http://groups.google.com/a/openflowhub.org/group/f
loodlight-dev/topics
– Or just email floodlight-dev@openflowhub.org
• Get the code:
– http://floodlight.openflowhub.org/display/Floodlight/
Floodlight+Downloads