Allied Telesis AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR 1YR OPENFLOW V1.3 LICS FOR AT-X230 SERIES SWITCHES

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR is a 1-year annual subscription license that enables OpenFlow v1.3 SDN controller integration on Allied Telesis x230 series access-tier switches. This Allied Telesis x230 OpenFlow v1.3 license 1-year annual subscription allows network administrators to bring software-defined networking (SDN) control to the x230 access layer, enabling a centralized SDN controller to program flow tables and manage traffic forwarding on x230 switches. This is a software-only entitlement — no hardware is shipped — and the license is issued per switch and must be renewed annually to maintain OpenFlow functionality.

Product Description

OpenFlow is the foundational southbound protocol of Software-Defined Networking (SDN), enabling a centralized controller to install, modify, and delete flow entries in a switch's forwarding tables via the OpenFlow protocol. OpenFlow v1.3 is the most widely adopted version of the specification, adding support for multiple flow tables, IPv6, meters for rate-limiting, and group tables for multipath and failover forwarding. The AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR license activates OpenFlow v1.3 support in AlliedWare Plus on x230 series access switches, allowing these devices to operate in hybrid mode — where some traffic is forwarded by OpenFlow flow tables under SDN controller direction, while other traffic continues to be handled by traditional AlliedWare Plus forwarding. This is particularly useful for campus access-layer SDN deployments where x230 switches are the student or user-facing edge and need centralized policy enforcement from an SDN controller. Compatible SDN controllers include any standards-compliant OpenFlow v1.3 controller such as ONOS, OpenDaylight, and Ryu. This is an annual subscription license: one license covers one x230 switch for one calendar year from the activation date. License renewal is required each year to continue OpenFlow v1.3 operation. No physical hardware is shipped with this order; the license key is delivered electronically.

Key Features

• OpenFlow v1.3 SDN Protocol — Industry-standard SDN southbound protocol enabling centralized flow-table programming by any OpenFlow v1.3-compatible controller.
• x230 Series Access-Tier Integration — Extends SDN control to the access layer where x230 switches connect end users, bringing centralized policy to the network edge.
• Hybrid Forwarding Mode — Supports concurrent OpenFlow and traditional AlliedWare Plus forwarding on the same switch, allowing incremental SDN adoption.
• 1-Year Annual Subscription — Per-switch annual license; must be renewed each year. Not a perpetual license.
• Multiple Flow Table Support — OpenFlow v1.3 multiple-table pipeline for advanced packet classification and policy chains.
• Software-Only Delivery — Electronic license key, no hardware shipped. Applied via AlliedWare Plus or AMF.

Typical Applications

• Campus access-layer SDN deployments using OpenFlow v1.3 controllers (ONOS, OpenDaylight, Ryu) to centrally manage x230 edge switches
• University and research network SDN testbeds requiring OpenFlow at the access tier
• Enterprise networks implementing centralized access policy enforcement via SDN controller
• Network automation and orchestration projects integrating x230 access switches into SDN architectures
• Hybrid SDN environments where traditional and OpenFlow forwarding coexist on access switches

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is OpenFlow v1.3 and why does it require a license?

OpenFlow v1.3 is the southbound SDN protocol defined by the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) that allows a centralized SDN controller to program forwarding decisions directly into switch flow tables. Allied Telesis activates this capability via a per-switch license to allow customers to deploy SDN selectively across their x230 infrastructure rather than purchasing it universally for every switch.

Q: Is this license perpetual or subscription-based?

The AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR is a 1-year annual subscription license. It must be renewed each year to maintain OpenFlow v1.3 operation on the switch. If the license expires and is not renewed, OpenFlow functionality is suspended and the switch reverts to standard AlliedWare Plus forwarding. This is different from the perpetual AT-FL-X550-8032 (G.8032) and AT-FL-X930-MRP (MRP) licenses.

Q: Which SDN controllers are compatible with this license?

Any standards-compliant OpenFlow v1.3 controller is compatible, including ONOS, OpenDaylight (ODL), Ryu, Floodlight, and commercial SDN controllers that support the OpenFlow v1.3 specification. Verify controller-specific compatibility with Allied Telesis documentation for your controller version.

Q: Can the x230 run both OpenFlow and traditional forwarding simultaneously?

Yes. AlliedWare Plus on the x230 supports hybrid forwarding mode, where a subset of VLANs or ports can be placed under OpenFlow SDN controller direction while the remaining switch ports continue to use traditional AlliedWare Plus forwarding. This enables incremental SDN adoption without a full cutover.

Q: Does this license cover multiple x230 switches?

No. The AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR covers one x230 switch for one year. For a multi-switch deployment, purchase one license per switch that requires OpenFlow v1.3 capability.

Q: Is hardware included with this order?

No. This is a software-only subscription license. No physical hardware is shipped. The license key is delivered electronically.

Q: Where can I purchase the AT-FL-X230-OF13-1YR?

Available from Creation Networks at creationnetworks.net, an authorized Allied Telesis reseller.