Visual network description: A customizable GUI for the creation of Software Defined Network simulations

The management of OpenFlow experiments can be a complex task considering the number and the degree of configuration of the resources involved. This task would be straightforward if the existing heterogeneous tools could be applied together in order to optimize the management of these networks. This paper presents the NSDL Framework which aims at providing a common environment for enabling interoperability among network management tools. In particular, the interoperability provided by NSDL allows the utilization of different network tools and libraries with the purpose of facilitating the creation of Software Defined Networks focusing on OpenFlow experiments. This paper also highlights the utilization of a graphical user interface, Visual Network Description, for the modelling of OpenFlow experiments within the NSDL framework. As a case study this paper presents how the authoring and execution of an Openflow experiment can be carried out with the integration of different tools under the NSDL Framework.