Software　defined　networking(SDN)　is　a　style　of　computer　networking　that　separates　the　control　plane　from　the　data　plane,　shifting　the　control　plane　to　a　centralized　controller　in　order　to　achieve　network　flexibility　and　openness.The　controller　placement　is　a　key　prerequisite　to　successful　SDN.　The　current　study　examines　the　hierarchically　distributed　control　plane　controller　placement　problem,　utilizing　a　multi-level　k-way　switch　partition　algorithm　to　divide　large　scale　network　topology.　We　also　fix　the　traditional　SDN　controller　placement　problem,　changing　zoning　and　intra-domain　controller　placement　by　reducing　the　edge-cut　in　order　to　lower　the　number　of　inter-domain　flows.　Simulation　results　show　that　the　multi-level　k-way　switch　partition　algorithm　can　effectively　reduce　control　flow　overhead　and　flow　set-up　time,　compared　with　the　other　traditional　algorithms.　©　2017,　Chinese　Institute　of　Electronics.　All　right　reserved.