Software　defined　networks　(SDN)　is　a　novel　network　architecture,　which　decouples　the　control　layer　and　data　layer　of　the　original　network　architecture.　This　network　architecture　utilizes　controller　to　control　data　transmission.　With　the　expansion　of　network　scale,　a　single　controller　is　unable　to　manage　the　whole　network,　while　multiple　controllers　need　to　be　deployed.　Consequently,　how　to　deploy　multiple　controllers　appropriately　is　a　hot　topic　in　SDN.　Furthermore,　many　intelligent　algorithms　have　been　applied　to　solving　this　problem.　In　this　paper,　we　employ　Cuckoo　Search　Algorithm　(CSA)　to　improve　the　ability　of　multi-controller　deployment.　In　order　to　improve　the　local　search　ability　of　the　algorithm,　the　standard　CS　algorithm　is　improved　in　this　paper.　Firstly,　weight　coefficient　is　introduced　to　adjust　the　convergence　speed　of　the　algorithm.　Secondly,　all　individuals　sort　according　to　their　function　values,　after　sorting　the　population　can　be　divided　into　two　parts.　The　experimental　results　demonstrate　that　the　modified　CSA　performs　better　than　other　algorithms　in　multi-controller　deployment.　©　2022　SPIE