NOTE: For information about version support for ip-control-table-mode command options, see HP VAN SDN Controller and Applications Support Matrix.

For information about version support for hardware-only mode, see HP VAN SDN Controller and Applications Support Matrix.

NOTE: OpenFlow 1.0 is the default version of OpenFlow for HP ProVision switches. OpenFlow does not allow the controller to optimize flow location in hardware tables. For concerns about line-rate data plane performance, configure all managed switches to use OpenFlow 1.3. Failure to properly configure the switch in this way may cause packet loss or other problems associated with high switch CPU utilization.

Uncontrolled switches in an OpenFlow Hybrid network are not visible to or controlled by the HP VAN SDN Controller. Uncontrolled switches are either controlled by another controller (outside the team) or not controlled at all (traditional networking). Traffic by such switches is independently managed.

The VAN SDN Controller Path Diagnostic Tool is useful only when hybrid mode is disabled. When hybrid mode is enabled, the controller does not monitor or direct all flows in the network. As a result, the path diagnostic tool (PathDiagnosticManager) does not have visibility into all flows on the network, and should not be used.

6.4 Controller packet-forwarding when hybrid mode is disabled

Figure 46 Controller operation with hybrid mode disabled

When hybrid mode is disabled (set to "false"), the controller examines and directs the packets in all flows for the given OpenFlow instance. The controller forwarding decisions for flows in a given instance are based on the requirements of the installed applications. The forwarding decision is communicated to controlled switches through OpenFlow. In instances where the controller has not provided the switch with a rule for how to forward a packet type, the switch sends the packet to the controller and waits for the controller to provide forwarding instructions.

Hybrid mode is commonly disabled in networks that are either used for experimental OpenFlow work (such as developing a controller application) or for networks that are completely new and designed to be fully controlled by OpenFlow.

6.4 Controller packet-forwarding when hybrid mode is disabled 77