Data network

A software defined network (SDN) controller for use in a packet-based software-defined data network supporting multicast, unicast and/or broadcast packet-based data traffic types and having a network of one or more packet switches arranged to route, under the control of the SDN controller, data packets from one or more packet sources to one or more packet receivers;

• in which the SDN controller is responsive to data defining a topology of interconnections between the plurality of packet switches, packet sources, and packet receivers, to select a route for packets from a packet source to a packet receiver;
• the SDN controller being configured to select the route in dependence upon the traffic type of the packets to be routed, using a respective one of a set of route selection algorithms each applicable to one of multicast, unicast and broadcast packet-based data traffic types.

A method of operation of a software defined network (SDN) controller in a packet-based software-defined data network supporting multicast, unicast and/or broadcast packet-based data traffic types having a network of one or more packet switches arranged to route, under the control of the SDN controller, data packets from one or more packet sources to one or more packet receivers;

• the method comprising:
• the SDN controller, in response to data defining a topology of interconnections between the plurality of packet switches, packet sources, and packet receivers, selecting a route for packets from a packet source to a packet receiver;
• in which the selecting step comprises selecting the route in dependence upon the traffic type of the packets to be routed, using a respective one of a set of route selection algorithms each applicable to one of multicast, unicast and broadcast packet-based data traffic types.