Research performance parameters of virtual switches with Openflow support

This article discusses the problems that arise with different ways of connecting network virtual switches and using the OpenFlow mode. A technique for automated research of performance parameters of virtual switches with OpenFlow support is proposed. In the course of the study, modes were identified in which significant packet losses and delays of more than 100 ms occur. It was found that at different parts of the packet’s route, using Open vSwitch in OpenFlow mode inside virtual machines is not optimal, while for virtualization systems, the connection via Open vSwitch is more preferable than Linux Bridge. Exceeding the load beyond the identified limits entails the need to optimize Open vSwitch and install a DPDK module for low-latency switching or change the load balancing on such nodes.