P4NFV: An NFV Architecture with Flexible Data Plane Reconfiguration

Mu He, Arsany Basta, Andreas Blenk, Nemanja Deric, Wolfgang Kellerer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Current architecture proposals for Network Function Virtualization (NFV) do not integrate hardware-accelerated network function implementations. Recent research studies have shown that pure software-based implementations cannot achieve the needed line rates for todays network services. We propose P4NFV to fill this gap. Making use of an additional abstraction layer, P4NFV is an architecture that can achieve software-based network function implementations as well as handle P4 for programming protocol-independent packet processors. With P4NFV, network operators can still instantiate network functions that are specified in terms of computing and storage hardware, while making use of the performance improvements of P4-enhanced networking hardware. Moreover, in order to take the fast changing nature of todays network services into account, P4NFV integrates mechanisms to reconfigure P4-based network functions at runtime: another missing gap in literature. Based on a proof-of-concept implementation of P4NFV for four network functions, we show promising measurement results. Whereas the network function implementations tailored towards reconfigurations add only marginal overhead, even configuring network functions at runtime does not notably affect network service operations with higher latency or severe packet loss.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication14th International Conference on Network and Service Management, CNSM 2018 and Workshops, 1st International Workshop on High-Precision Networks Operations and Control, HiPNet 2018 and 1st Workshop on Segment Routing and Service Function Chaining, SR+SFC 2018
EditorsStefano Salsano, Roberto Riggio, Carlos Raniery Paula dos Santos, Toufik Ahmed, Taghrid Samak
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages90-98
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9783903176140
StatePublished - 20 Dec 2018
Event14th International Conference on Network and Service Management, CNSM 2018 and Workshops, 1st International Workshop on High-Precision Networks Operations and Control, HiPNet 2018 and 1st Workshop on Segment Routing and Service Function Chaining, SR+SFC 2018 - Rome, Italy
Duration: 5 Nov 20189 Nov 2018

Publication series

Name14th International Conference on Network and Service Management, CNSM 2018 and Workshops, 1st International Workshop on High-Precision Networks Operations and Control, HiPNet 2018 and 1st Workshop on Segment Routing and Service Function Chaining, SR+SFC 2018

Conference

Conference14th International Conference on Network and Service Management, CNSM 2018 and Workshops, 1st International Workshop on High-Precision Networks Operations and Control, HiPNet 2018 and 1st Workshop on Segment Routing and Service Function Chaining, SR+SFC 2018
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityRome
Period5/11/189/11/18

Keywords

  • Network Architecture
  • Network Function Adaptation
  • Network Function Virtualization
  • Programmable Data Plane

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