Generating table entry and forwarding packet in software defined network

An apparatus of generating forwarding table entries, applicable to a software defined network (SDN) controller, comprising:

• a forwarding path calculating unit, to calculate a plurality of forwarding paths for a traffic flow based on a software defined network (SDN) topology;
• a rate identity setting unit, to determine a maximum flow rate and a flow rate identity of each of the forwarding paths;
• a flow table entry generating unit, to generate a plurality of ingress flow table entries based on packet characteristic information of the traffic flow and the flow rate identity of each of the forwarding paths and an output port of an ingress node on each of the forwarding paths, generate an intermediate flow table entry for each of an intermediate node on each of the forwarding paths based on the packet characteristic information of the traffic flow, the flow rate identity of each of the forwarding paths and an output port of each intermediate node on each of the forwarding paths, and generate an egress flow table entry for an egress node of the traffic flow based on the packet characteristic information of the traffic flow and an output port via which the egress node sends the traffic flow;
• and a sending unit, to send the maximum flow rate and the flow rate identity of each of the forwarding paths and the ingress flow table entries to the ingress node, send each intermediate flow table entry to each corresponding intermediate node on each of the forwarding paths, and send the egress flow table entry to the egress node.