1.

Installing Mininet in Simulator

Concept: Mininet is a network emulator that runs a collection of end-hosts, switches, and controllers

on a single system. It helps simulate SDN environments easily for testing and learning. Mininet can

be installed on Ubuntu using packages or from source via GitHub.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What is Mininet?

A: It is a network emulator for creating virtual networks on a single machine.

Q: Which OS is recommended for installing Mininet?

A: Ubuntu (preferably 20.04 or later).

Q: What command installs Mininet using the package manager?

A: sudo apt-get install mininet.

Q: How do you verify if Mininet is installed properly?

A: Run sudo mn --test pingall.

Q: Why is Mininet useful in SDN?

A: It allows quick SDN testing without physical hardware.

Application:

Used for prototyping and testing SDN solutions in labs and research before real-world deployment.

2. Topology Creation Using Controller, Switches and Hosts

Concept: Mininet allows the creation of custom topologies involving hosts, switches, and controllers.

Switches forward packets, hosts generate traffic, and controllers manage the network. The topology

can be set using CLI or Python scripts.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What are the components of an SDN topology?

A: Hosts, switches, and controllers.

Q: What is the role of a controller?

Q: How do you launch a default topology in Mininet?

A: Use sudo mn.

Q: What type of switches does Mininet use?

A: Open vSwitch.

Q: Can you connect a remote controller to Mininet?

A: Yes, using --controller=remote with IP and port.

Application:

Used in SDN testing labs to evaluate different network designs and controller behaviors.

3. Custom Topology Creation Using Python Program

Concept: Python can be used to define advanced topologies in Mininet by subclassing Topo. Users

can add custom numbers of hosts, switches, and links. It gives flexibility beyond the CLI-based

topologies.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What Python class is used to define topologies in Mininet?

A: Topo class.

Q: How do you run a custom topology file?

A: sudo mn --custom <filename>.py --topo <topo_name>.

Q: What method adds switches in a Python script?

A: addSwitch().

Q: What method connects nodes?

A: addLink().

Q: Why use Python instead of CLI?

A: For flexibility and defining complex or dynamic topologies.

Application:
Used in research to simulate specific network scenarios like ring, mesh, or tree topologies.

4. Ability to View, Read/Write Flow Table Rules Using Wireshark

Concept: Wireshark can capture OpenFlow messages between controller and switches. It helps

visualize flow installation, packet-ins, and flow mods. Understanding these packets is crucial for

SDN debugging.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What protocol is analyzed to view flow rules?

A: OpenFlow.

Q: What filter in Wireshark shows OpenFlow packets?

A: openflow_v4 or of.

Q: What is a flow-mod message?

A: A message used by the controller to install rules in the switch.

Q: Can Wireshark modify flow rules?

A: No, it can only read or monitor.

Q: What port does OpenFlow typically use?

A: TCP 6633 or 6653.

Application:

Used for debugging SDN networks and verifying rule installation.

5. Flow Table Rules Implementation Using POX Controller with Learning Switch

Concept: POX is a Python-based SDN controller that can implement learning switch logic. It learns

MAC addresses and installs flow rules to reduce broadcast traffic. This improves performance by

avoiding repeated controller intervention.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What does a learning switch do?

A: Learns source MAC addresses and forwards packets accordingly.

A: forwarding.l2_learning.

Q: How to run POX with learning switch?

A: ./pox.py forwarding.l2_learning.

Q: What is the benefit of learning switch logic?

A: Reduces controller load by installing flow rules.

Q: What language is POX written in?

A: Python.

Application:

Used in educational environments to teach basic flow control and packet forwarding.

6. Flow Table Rules Implementation for Firewall

Concept: Firewall rules can be implemented by the controller to block or allow traffic based on

IP/MAC. POX can install rules to drop certain packets based on predefined criteria. This enables

network security at the controller level.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What type of rules does an SDN firewall implement?

A: Allow or block rules based on IP/MAC/port.

Q: Can POX be used as a firewall controller?

A: Yes, with custom Python code.

Q: What action drops a packet in a flow rule?

A: No output action or using action=[].

Q: Where are firewall rules installed in SDN?

A: In the switch flow table by the controller.

Q: What makes SDN firewalls better than traditional ones?

A: Centralized control and programmability.

Used in enterprise SDN to restrict malicious traffic or enforce policy.

7. Ability to View, Read/Write Flow Table Rules Using Open vSwitch

Concept: Open vSwitch (OVS) lets users manage flow tables using ovs-ofctl commands. You can

dump, add, and delete flow entries for switches. It allows low-level control over OpenFlow switches.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What command shows OVS flow table?

A: sudo ovs-ofctl dump-flows <switch>.

Q: How to add a flow using OVS?

A: ovs-ofctl add-flow s1 "actions=output:2".

Q: Can OVS work independently of controllers?

A: Yes, with manual flow entries.

Q: What protocol does OVS use for SDN?

A: OpenFlow.

Q: How to delete all flow rules?

A: ovs-ofctl del-flows s1.

Application:

Used in data centers and labs for fine-grained control of packet forwarding.

8. Time Based Alarm Controller Using POX

Concept: A time-based controller can trigger actions at scheduled intervals. In POX, timers from

Timer class are used to implement alarms or events. It can monitor or respond to periodic tasks in

the network.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: Which POX module helps with timers?

A: pox.lib.recoco.Timer.
Q: What is a use case for time-based alarms?

A: Trigger alerts during high traffic or failure detection.

Q: Can POX run tasks every few seconds?

A: Yes, using timers.

Q: Is this alarm controller reactive or proactive?

A: Proactive.

Q: Why is time-based control useful?

A: For monitoring, stats collection, or automated recovery.

Application:

Used for automated monitoring systems or scheduled network updates.

9. SDN-Based Disaster Recovery System Using Mininet and Ryu

Concept: In disaster recovery, the SDN controller reroutes traffic around failed links. Ryu, a

Python-based controller, can detect failures and install new rules. It ensures service continuity even

during network disruptions.

Viva Questions & Answers:

Q: What is the role of SDN in disaster recovery?

A: To reroute traffic dynamically after a failure.

Q: Which controller is used here?

A: Ryu.

Q: How does Ryu detect link failure?

A: Using LLDP or port status messages.

Q: Can Mininet simulate failures?

A: Yes, by disabling links or switches.

Q: What protocol is used for communication?

A: OpenFlow.
Application:

Used in critical infrastructures (e.g., hospitals, finance) to ensure network uptime during outages.