Multiple provider framework for virtual switch data planes and data plane migration

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions for supporting multiple protocols in a processing device, that when executed by one or more processors, perform the steps of:

• receiving a request to change a first data plane provider, wherein a virtual switch is configured with a topology on a first data plane provider to use a flow management protocol, the virtual switch including one or more first network interfaces respectively connected to one or more ports to enable communication among one or more entities attached to the one or more first network interfaces by forwarding data packets within a first datapath of the first data plane;
• disconnecting the one or more first network interfaces;
• removing the first datapath of the virtual switch;
• creating a second datapath on a second data plane of a second data plane provider using the topology and the flow management protocol;
• configuring the virtual switch to operate with the second datapath and retaining the flow management protocol and the topology, the virtual switch including one or more second network interfaces;
• and
• connecting the one or more second network interfaces to a respective one of the one or more ports to enable communication among the one or more entities attached to each of the network interfaces by forwarding data packets within the second datapath on the second data plane.

A node for supporting multiple protocols in a network, comprising:

• a memory storage comprising instructions;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the memory that execute the instructions to:
• receive a request to change a first data plane provider, wherein a virtual switch is configured with a topology on a first data plane provider to use a flow management protocol, the virtual switch including one or more first network interfaces respectively connected to one or more ports to enable communication among one or more entities attached to the one or more first network interfaces by forwarding data packets within a first datapath of the first data plane;
• disconnect the one or more first network interfaces;
• remove the first datapath of the virtual switch;
• create a second datapath on a second data plane of a second data plane provider using the topology and the flow management protocol;
• configure the virtual switch to operate with the second datapath and retaining the flow management protocol and the topology, the virtual switch including one or more second network interfaces;
• and
• connect the one or more second network interfaces to a respective one of the one or more ports to enable communication among the one or more entities attached to each of the network interfaces by forwarding data packets within the second datapath on the second data plane.