SDN storage: A stream-based storage system over software-defined networks

Abstract

Software-defined networking (SDN) is well-known of its programmable and centralized management mechanism of networks. The controller unit in SDN enables users to determine network behaviors by defining flow rules on programmable switches in SDN. In this paper, we briefly propose a novel concept of network storage systems. Unlike most network storage systems store files on hosts and access files through networks, we leverage the programmable ability of SDN to assemble switching fabric queues as a storage system. Users upload files and our system keeps the files as packets alive by looping them in our defined routes. Every time users want to retrieve their files, our system duplicates the desired packets and redirects them to users.