topic Re: Why does this flow go into software? in Software Defined Networking

Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 15:44:31 GMT

I have a simple flow (see json below) that matches an incoming port and outputs to a single port. If my reading of the flow classification appendix in the openflow configuration guide is correct, this flow should go into hardware as long as I specify IP Ethernet Type AND I do NOT specify a src/dst MAC. But, it goes into software.

The platform is an HP 5412 running K.15.15.0008

thanks.

{

"flow": {

"priority": 60003,

"idle_timeout": 60,

"table_id": 200,

"match": [

{"eth_type": "ipv4"},

{"in_port":265}

"instructions":[{

"apply_actions":[{"output":266}]}]

}

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

piricchio72 — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:02:13 GMT

Hello

You are adding the flow to Table 200 that is a software table.

If you want to add this flow in hardware you should add it to Table 100 (matching for ether type and ingress port), according to the fw running on the 5400zl and assuming you're running controller version 2.4 or above.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Antonio

SDN CoE

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:26:30 GMT

Thanks for the clarification. I had tried that, but it won't install the flow in table 100. The only other flows on the switch are the default ones installed by the VAN controller hybrid (dhcp, arp, and normal).

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

piricchio72 — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:44:12 GMT

Hello,

Are you using RSdocs to add the flow?

if yes, which is the response code you are getting?

If not, are you using Curl?

If yes, can you provide output?

Regards,

Antoino

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:06:52 GMT

I'm using curl. There is no output. It accepts it without complaining.

If I change the action output to "normal" (instead of a single port) the rule installs in the switch table 100 fine.

I guess there is something that makes the rule not able to go in hardware. Below is what the flow looks like when installed in table 200. Now, the flow match table appendix says the MAC field "MUST NOT be present in the flow or is not applicable" to be able to go into hardware. Yet it shows up as "ANY" in the show output. Is there a way to specify eth_src and eth_dst as NA?

thanks.

Below is the json for the 2 flows followed by the "show openflow instance aggregate flows" output for each of the 2 flows.

A. flow to match ingress port, output a single port (will only install on table 200)

{

"flow": {

"priority": 3,

"idle_timeout": 60,

"table_id": 200,

"match": [

{"eth_type": "ipv4"},

{"in_port":265}

"instructions":[{

"apply_actions":[{"output": 266}]}]

}

B. Same thing but with action to output "normal" (installs fine on table 100)

{

"flow": {

"priority": 3,

"idle_timeout": 60,

"table_id": 100,

"match": [

{"eth_type": "ipv4"},

{"in_port":265}

"instructions":[{

"apply_actions":[{"output": "normal"}]}]

}

C. switch show flows for flow "A"

Flow 10

Match

Incoming Port : L1 Ethernet Type : IP

Source MAC : Any Destination MAC : Any

VLAN ID : Any VLAN priority : Any

Source Protocol Address : Any

Target Protocol Address : Any

IP Protocol : Any

IP ECN : Any IP DSCP : Any

Source Port : Any Destination Port : Any

Attributes

Priority : 3 Duration : 54 seconds

Hard Timeout : 0 seconds Idle Timeout : 60 seconds

Byte Count : 0 Packet Count : 0

Flow Table ID : 200 Controller ID : 1

Activity Count: NA Cookie : 0x0

Hardware Index : NA

Instructions

Apply Actions

Output : L2

D. Switch show flows for flow "B"

Flow 6

Match

Incoming Port : L1 Ethernet Type : IP

Source MAC : Any Destination MAC : Any

VLAN ID : Any VLAN priority : Any

Source Protocol Address : Any

Target Protocol Address : Any

IP Protocol : Any

IP ECN : Any IP DSCP : Any

Source Port : Any Destination Port : Any

Attributes

Priority : 3 Duration : 2 seconds

Hard Timeout : 0 seconds Idle Timeout : 60 seconds

Byte Count : NA Packet Count : 0

Flow Table ID : 100 Controller ID : 1

Activity Count: NA Cookie : 0x0

Hardware Index : 0

Instructions

Apply Actions

Normal

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:21:51 GMT

On futher thought, the "match" portion seems to be okay (since it installs in hardware when the action is "normal").

Yet,the "action" portion of forwarding to a single port should also be supported in hardware. I'm at a loss. The switch modules are all v2. The controller is 2.4.5

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

piricchio72 — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:28:11 GMT

Hi,

I just installed a flow on table 100 on a 5406zl.

I only modified the ports to match mine (i used 1 and 2 and not 265 and 266 as you did).

Considering that you are using v2 modules and that action normal is accepted my only suspicion is that port 266 might not be on same DPID.

Can you send the "show run" output to check your configuration?

Can you also send a screen shot of the ports on the DPID (gathered from the controller gui)?

Regards,

Antonio

SDN Team

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 18:52:31 GMT

Okay, I also tried with lower numbered ports (7 and 8) without success. Do you have the default flows installed by hybrid VAN controller?

Attached are the screen shots and show info.

Thanks again.

I'll also try it on another switch to compare.

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 23:18:08 GMT

It worked on a 5406 running K.15.16.0005 and also on a 3800 runing KA.15.16.005

So I'll upgrade to K.15.16.005 to see if that does the trick.

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

piricchio72 — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 13:53:52 GMT

Hello,

When I added the flow to a 5400zl I was actually running version k.15.16.005.

I think you will not have problem in adding the flow when running this code.

From your configuration I noticed you configured "mode passive".

Although this does not play a role with yor issue, you should consider how this setting is only applicable for OpenFlow instances version 1.0 (as per the OpenFlow Administrator Guide).

Regards,

Antonio

SDN Team

Re: Why does this flow go into software?

panluowei — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 14:39:58 GMT

Antonio,

The upgrade to K.15.16.005 solved the problem.

Thank you for your help working through this issue.

kind regards