Physical switch initialization using representational state transfer services

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a network device to perform a method, said method comprising:

• sending a representational state transfer services resource request over a network to a remote network controller to receive a logical switch for installation of a communications protocol on said network device, wherein said communications protocol enables said remote network controller to control operation a data forwarding plane corresponding to said network device;
• selecting said communications protocol from a plurality of different communications protocols specified in said logical switch based on a computing environment of said network device;
• and
• executing instructions specified in said logical switch to install said communications protocol locally on said network device.

An apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface for communicating with a remote network device over network;
• and.
• a processor coupled to said communication interface and configured to:
• receive a representational state transfer services resource request from a remote network device over a data communications network for a logical switch to install a communications protocol on said remote network device, wherein said communications protocol enables said apparatus to control a data forwarding plane behavior of said remote network device;
• and
• upon receipt of said representational state transfer services resource request, communicate said logical switch to said remote network device over said data communications network.