core/api/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/flow/FlowRuleService.java

package org.onlab.onos.net.flow;

import java.util.List;

import org.onlab.onos.net.DeviceId;

/**
 * Service for injecting flow rules into the environment and for obtaining
 * information about flow rules already in the environment. This implements
 * semantics of a distributed authoritative flow table where the master copy
 * of the flow rules lies with the controller and the devices hold only the
 * 'cached' copy.
 */
public interface FlowRuleService {

    /**
     * Returns the collection of flow entries applied on the specified device.
     * This will include flow rules which may not yet have been applied to
     * the device.
     *
     * @param deviceId device identifier
     * @return collection of flow rules
     */
    Iterable<FlowEntry> getFlowEntries(DeviceId deviceId);

    // TODO: add createFlowRule factory method and execute operations method

    /**
     * Applies the specified flow rules onto their respective devices. These
     * flow rules will be retained by the system and re-applied anytime the
     * device reconnects to the controller.
     *
     * @param flowRules one or more flow rules
     * throws SomeKindOfException that indicates which ones were applied and
     *                  which ones failed
     */
    List<FlowEntry> applyFlowRules(FlowRule... flowRules);

    /**
     * Removes the specified flow rules from their respective devices. If the
     * device is not presently connected to the controller, these flow will
     * be removed once the device reconnects.
     *
     * @param flowRules one or more flow rules
     * throws SomeKindOfException that indicates which ones were removed and
     *                  which ones failed
     */
    void removeFlowRules(FlowRule... flowRules);


    /**
     * Adds the specified flow rule listener.
     *
     * @param listener flow rule listener
     */
    void addListener(FlowRuleListener listener);

    /**
     * Removes the specified flow rule listener.
     *
     * @param listener flow rule listener
     */
    void removeListener(FlowRuleListener listener);

}