Table 1.
Summary of network testing and verification studies.
| Studies | Techniques | Description | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDB [70] | Mininet | Tracks down root causes of bugs | Breakpoints and packet backtracking | Debugging time overhead |
| VeriFlow [72] | NOX, Mininet | Checks network invariants in real time and prevents faulty rules | Flow rule debugging for reachability analysis | Not suitable for delay-sensitive and QoS-constrained applications |
| Flow Checker [75] | OpenFlow switch, flow table | Verifies flow tables based on behaviors of flow rules | Inconsistencies localization in device flow tables | Can only be used in small network |
| Anteater [76] | Linux, C++, Ruby | Examines the state of data plane and verifies network invariants | Control plane configuration analysis | Inconsistent data plane map generation for dynamically changing FIBs |
| NICE [81] | Mininet, OpenFlow switch, Network X | Utilizes model checking and symbolic execution for bug investigation | Simplification of switch modeling and event testing | Unable to test a controller implemented in the same language |
| FPB [82] | Python, OpenFlow, NOX | Provides a formal model for consistent policy update | Least controller intervention | Buffering ability in case of switch to controller link failure is not discussed |
| HSA [83] | Ubuntu, flow-based management language, Prolog | Protocol-independent static network-invariant investigations | No need to modify the protocol for implementation of HSA | Static space analysis mechanism |
| Py-Resonance [84] | Pyretic, Python | Utilizes state-based policies to predict network’s behaviour | Modular network function control | TCAM under- utilization by least significant policy states in FSM model |
| PGA [85] | Mininet, Pyretic compiler, POX controller | Composition of ACL policies that inspects multiple policies | Conflict-free forwarding rule translation | Scalability issues and support of HW/VM middleboxes |
| SFC [87] | Java-based prototype, OpenFlow switch | Identifies the anomalies in ACL policies before deployment | Proactive anomalies detection independent of programming language | Overhead for generating flow rules at data plane |