Welcome to OpenFlow!

OpenFlow will enable networking innovation on college campuses. Read how.

OpenFlow is a way for researchers to run experimental protocols in the networks they use every day. OpenFlow is based on an Ethernet switch or WiFi access point, with an internal flow-table and a standardized interface to add and remove flow entries. Network switch vendors will add OpenFlow to their switch products for deployment in college campus backbones and wiring closets.

OpenFlow is a pragmatic compromise: it allows researchers to run experiments on a variety of switches and access points in a uniform way at line-rate and with high port-density. Vendors do not need to expose the internal workings of their switches.

Two buildings at Stanford University will soon run OpenFlow networks, using commercial Ethernet switches and routers. Consider deploying OpenFlow in your university network too!

OpenFlow is freely and openly available for anyone to deploy. Read the simple license here.

OpenFlow reference systems are being developed. See that latest ones here.

Join us, and help make networking experiments possible!