Data model for software defined networks

A controller device for a software defined network (SDN), the controller device comprising:

• one or more network interfaces configured to communicate with network devices of the SDN;
• and
• one or more processors configured to obtain data representative of the network devices in the SDN, wherein the network devices comprise one or more switches and one or more controllers including the controller device to build a network topology of the overall SDN network and connected physical devices, instantiate software-based controller objects for each of the one or more controllers, wherein the software-based controller objects each comprise data representative of a respective instance name, a respective server hostname, and a respective server host port to provide connectivity to each controlled object, instantiate software-based switch description objects for each of the one or more switches using a unique data model to effect port-based and header-based flow-controls for data packets traversing the one or more switches, wherein the software-based switch description objects each comprise data representative of a respective primary controller corresponding to a controller of the one or more controllers, a respective switch identifier, a respective switch media access control (MAC) address, a respective Internet protocol (IP) address, and a respective array of port description objects for each physical port on the respective switch, and manage, via the network interfaces, at least some of the switches using the switch description objects and the controller objects to effect port-based and header-based control of flows for packets traversing the network topology.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a processor of a controller device for a software defined network (SDN) to:

• obtain data representative of physical network devices in the SDN, wherein the physical network devices comprise one or more switches and one or more controllers including the controller device to build a network topology of the overall SDN network and connected physical devices;
• instantiate software-based controller objects for each of the one or more controllers, wherein the software-based controller objects each comprise data representative of a respective instance name, a respective server hostname, and a respective server host port to provide connectivity to each controlled object;
• instantiate software-based switch description objects for each of the one or more switches using a unique data model to effect port-based and header-based flow-controls for data packets traversing the one or more switches, wherein the software-based switch description objects each comprise data representative of a respective primary controller corresponding to a controller of the one or more controllers, a respective switch identifier, a respective switch media access control (MAC) address, a respective Internet protocol (IP) address, and a respective array of port description objects for each physical port on the respective switch;
• and
• manage at least some of the switches using the switch description objects and the controller objects via issuing instructions to the switches using an appropriate protocol to drive the data packets through the network topology.