Demo abstract: Enabling high-throughput big data transfers across campus networks

Big Data transfers are increasingly plagued by middlebox bottlenecks such as NAT boxes, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems that prevent large data transfers from achieving maximal throughput across the campus network. Science DMZs have historically been used to solve this problem. We are developing a Software Defined Networking (SDN) campus network that achieves the same benefits — by allowing privileged flows to bypass middleboxes — without the limitations and downsides of Science DMZs. To evaluate our approach and develop a prototype implementation, we created a campus-like lab-based physical network using Aruba switches that support running multiple OpenFlow (virtual) instances per physical chassis. We will demonstrate the control software used to drive the testbed and the performance improvement for big data transfers under our approach.