Meanwhile, equipment giants have already begun to roll out products touting their use of OpenFlow.

FORBES: Google Unveils Secret, Worldwide Networking Project

Earlier this month, HP announced a portfolio of OpenFlow-enabled switches, including the HP 3500 5400 and 8200 series switches.

FORBES: Google Unveils Secret, Worldwide Networking Project

Earlier this month, Cisco announced plans to embrace the technology, including products that use an emerging SDN standard called OpenFlow.

WSJ: An Upgrade Race for Data Centers

OpenFlow startups include Big Switch Networks and Nicira Networks, co-founded by Casado, who serves as the chief technology officer there.

FORBES: Google Unveils Secret, Worldwide Networking Project

According to Holzle, things that were hard to do on processors embedded in a networking box become much easier when they separately designed and merely communicated to the hardware using OpenFlow.

FORBES: Google Unveils Secret, Worldwide Networking Project