Diseño e implementación de VLANs en entornos universitarios basados en redes definidas por software (SDN)

Abstract

A Campus Area Network (CAN) is a computational infrastructure network that interconnects multiple Local Area Networks (LANs) within a campus, spanning multiple locations and providing connectivity to devices across the entire CAN. As it grows in size and complexity, it is divided into Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) to optimize efficiency and security. Software-Defined Networks (SDNs) offer advantages by enabling dynamic assignment of VLANs. The separation of control and data in an SDN facilitates flexibility in VLAN management. This work proposes designing and implementing a testing and analysis environment for SDN-based VLANs in university settings. It utilizes open-source tools to set up a small-scale CAN. Initially, a classic network is emulated using Raspberry Pi as network switches and Open vSwitch (OvS), with VLANs assigned through terminal commands. Subsequently, the OpenDaylight (ODL) controller is deployed to establish an SDN and statically allocate VLANs. The third phase involves creating a Network Access Control (NAC) server in Python, utilizing the SDN's application layer to dynamically obtain topological information and VLANs. The obtained results are presented alongside relevant conclusions. Additionally, a comprehensive guide is provided for dynamically assigning VLANs in a CAN with SDN. This study explores the implementation and benefits of VLANs in a CAN, highlighting how SDNs offer adaptability and agility in network administration, particularly within a CAN context.