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Pox

Safety: 45/100

0.0(0)

The POX MCP server provides network control and management via the POX SDN controller, enabling Python-based network programming and automated network analysis.

MCP ServersFreemium

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Overview

The POX MCP server provides network control and management via the POX SDN controller, enabling Python-based network programming and automated network analysis.

The POX MCP server offers powerful network control capabilities but requires careful management to avoid misconfiguration. It's relatively safe for read-only operations and network monitoring, but risky when using tools that modify network flows or configurations without proper validation.

Performance depends on the POX controller's resources and the complexity of the network policies. High flow rates or complex rules may impact performance.

Cost considerations depend on the infrastructure required to run the POX controller and the network devices being managed. There are no direct API costs, but resource utilization should be monitored.

Python1 starsMIT

Connections & Capabilities

Connects To

GitHubTwitter

Capabilities

ReadWriteExecAdmin

Client Compatibility

Claude Desktop

full

Cursor

untested

Windsurf

untested

VS Code (Copilot)

untested

Quickstart

Claude Desktop Config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pox": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "parent_of_servers_repo/servers/src/mcp_server_pox",
        "run",
        "server.py"
      ],
      "env": {
        "POX_SERVER_URL": "http://localhost:8000"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tools (5)

safe

get_switches

Lists all connected OpenFlow datapaths controlled by POX.

Read-only operation; retrieves information about connected switches.

safe

get_switch_desc

Retrieves detailed information about a specific OpenFlow datapath.

Read-only operation; retrieves switch details based on datapath ID.

safe

get_flow_stats

Retrieves flow statistics from a specified OpenFlow datapath.

Read-only operation; retrieves flow statistics without modifying the network.

high

set_table

Configures flow tables on a specified OpenFlow datapath.

Modifies network behavior by updating flow tables, potentially disrupting traffic.

moderate

append_insight

Appends network insights to the POX configuration memo.

Adds data to the network configuration memo, which could be misleading if the insight is incorrect or malicious.

Security

Auth Method

Environment Variable

Known Risks

!Unvalidated input to flow modification tools can disrupt network traffic.
!Lack of authentication beyond environment variables exposes the server to unauthorized access if the environment is compromised.
!Misconfigured flow rules can lead to network loops or denial-of-service conditions.
!The `append_insight` tool could be abused to inject misleading or malicious data into the network configuration memo.
!Reliance on POX SDN controller introduces a single point of failure for network management.

Safety Score

moderate risk

Positive

+Limited resource exposure (pox://network-config, pox://topology).
+Requires specific arguments for prompts, reducing accidental execution.
+Tools offer both read and write operations, allowing for controlled network modifications.
+Uses OpenFlow, which provides a degree of abstraction from the underlying hardware.

Risks

-Direct control over network devices via OpenFlow.
-Potential for misconfiguration leading to network disruption.
-Lack of built-in authentication mechanisms beyond environment variables.
-The `set_table` tool allows for arbitrary flow modifications, posing a risk if misused.
-The `append_insight` tool can be used to inject arbitrary data into the network configuration memo.

Use Cases

Network Monitoring

-Listing connected OpenFlow switches
-Retrieving detailed switch descriptions
-Collecting flow statistics for network analysis

Network Configuration

-Configuring flow tables to implement network policies
-Automating network device management
-Implementing custom forwarding logic

Network Analysis

-Adding network insights to the POX configuration memo
-Troubleshooting network issues
-Identifying potential security vulnerabilities

Who Is This For?

Best For

Network engineers
SDN researchers
Educational environments
Network prototyping
Automated network analysis

Not Ideal For

Production environments requiring high availability without proper redundancy.
Users without a strong understanding of OpenFlow and SDN concepts.
Environments with strict security requirements without additional authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Autonomy & Execution

Default ModeRead and Write enabled

Destructive Tools

Autonomy requires careful consideration due to the potential for network disruption. Validate configurations before applying them to the network.

StatelessNo

Retry LogicNot documented

ConcurrencySingle-threaded

Production Tip

Implement thorough testing and validation procedures before deploying any flow table modifications to a production network.

FAQ

What is the POX MCP server?

It's an implementation that provides network control and management capabilities through the POX SDN controller.

What are the key components of the server?

The server exposes dynamic resources like `pox://network-config` and `pox://topology`, and provides prompts for network management and learning switch implementations.

How can I use the `set_table` tool safely?

Thoroughly validate your flow specifications before applying them to the network. Use a testing environment to verify the behavior.

What authentication methods are supported?

Currently, the server relies on environment variables for authentication. Consider implementing additional security measures for production environments.

Can I use this server in a production environment?

Yes, but with caution. Ensure you have proper redundancy, security measures, and monitoring in place.

How do I contribute to the project?

You can submit pull requests, report bugs, or suggest new features through the project repository.

What is the license for this MCP server?

The server is licensed under the MIT License, allowing you to use, modify, and distribute the software freely.

Metrics

Discovered2/14/2026

Reviews0

Saved By0 users

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