Path selection in hybrid networks

1. A computer implemented method for controlling legacy switch routing in one or more hybrid networks of interconnected computers and switches, comprising:

generating a network underlay for the one or more hybrid networks by generating a minimum spanning tree (MST) and a forwarding graph (FWG) over a physical network topology of the one or more hybrid networks;

determining an optimal path between hosts on the FWG by optimizing an initial path with a minimum cost mapping; and

adjusting the initial path to enforce the optimal path by generating and installing special packets in one or more programmable switches to trigger installation of forwarding rules in one or more legacy switches.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the MST includes a set of links for sending broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the FWG includes a set of links for sending both unicast and broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting the initial path further comprises:

turning off physical links not in the FWG;

installing rules on the programmable switches to drop broadcast traffic on all links that are in the FWG but not in the MST; and

forwarding traffic along the optimal path.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the minimum cost mapping is a sum of each link costs, wherein the link costs include a cost of sending a flow over a link, setup costs of the link, a cost of operating the link, and a cost of a plurality of network demands.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising avoiding broadcast by verifying that all loops in the hybrid network include at least one programmable switch.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the special packets are continually sent and installed in the legacy switches until the legacy switches reach a stable state, wherein the stable state is reached when data packets traverse the optimal path in both directions.

8. A system for controlling legacy switch routing in one or more hybrid networks of interconnected computers and switches, comprising:

a network underlay generator to construct a minimum spanning tree (MST) and a forwarding graph (FWG) over a physical network topology of the one or more hybrid networks;

an optimizer to determine an optimal path between hosts on the FWG by optimizing an initial path with a minimum cost mapping; and

a controller to enforce the optimal path by generating and installing special packets in one or more programmable switches to trigger installation of forwarding rules for one or more legacy switches.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the MST includes a set of links to send broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the FWG includes a set of links to send both unicast and broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the adjusting the initial path further comprises:

turning off physical links not in the FWG;

installing rules on the programmable switches to drop broadcast traffic on all links that are in the FWG but not in the MST; and

forwarding traffic along the optimal path.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the minimum cost mapping is a sum of each link costs, wherein the link costs include a cost of sending a flow over a link, setup costs of the link, a cost of operating the link, and a cost of a plurality of network demands.

13. The system of claim 8 , further comprising avoiding broadcast by verifying that all loops in the hybrid network include at least one programmable switch.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the special packets are continually sent and installed in the legacy switches until the legacy switches reach a stable state, wherein the stable state is reached when data packets traverse the optimal path in both directions.

15. Non-transitory storage medium comprising a a set of instructions which when executed on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of:

generating a network underlay for one or more hybrid networks of interconnected computers and switches by generating a minimum spanning tree (MST) and a forwarding graph (FWG) over a physical network topology of the one or more hybrid networks;

determining an optimal path between hosts on the FWG by optimizing an initial path with a minimum cost mapping; and

adjusting the initial path to enforce the optimal path by generating and installing special packets in one or more programmable switches to trigger installation of forwarding rules for one or more legacy switches.

16. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the MST includes a set of links for sending broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

17. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the FWG includes a set of links for sending both unicast and broadcast packets between switches in the one or more hybrid networks.

18. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the adjusting the initial path further comprises:

turning off physical links not in the FWG;

installing rules on the programmable switches to drop broadcast traffic on all links that are in the FWG but not in the MST; and

forwarding traffic along the optimal path.

19. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the minimum cost mapping is a sum of each link costs, wherein the link costs include a cost of sending a flow over a link, setup costs of the link, a cost of operating the link, and a cost of a plurality of network demands.

20. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising avoiding broadcast by verifying that all loops in the hybrid network include at least one programmable switch.