ProViNet - An Open Platform for Programmable Virtual Network Management

Abstract

The disheartening and thorny path followed while deploying new solutions in the core of current computer networks, culminates in a low rate of emergence of innovation. Several researches proposed applying Software Defined Networks (SDN) and the Network Virtualization (NV) concepts to reverse this rate. However, many gaps and open challenges were observed in the application of these concepts together. In this paper, we propose the ProViNet platform, which merge the SDN and NV concepts to provide a fast and safe deployment of innovations in the existing network infrastructure. ProViNet advance the state-of-art introducing the concept of Network Programming as a Service, in which applications are built simply by composing control plane services. Such approach encourages End-Users to develop and share novel network solutions, fostering innovation. To prove concept and technical feasibility, we evaluate ProViNet with a prototype that allowed demonstrating virtual network infrastructure provisioning and programming.