Millions of Little Minions: Using Packets for Low Latency Network Programming and Visibility
Vimalkumar Jeyakumar, Mohammad Hossein Alizadeh, Yilong Geng, Changhoon Kim, David Mazières · arXiv (Cornell University) · 2014
This paper presents a practical approach to rapidly introduc-ing new dataplane functionality into networks: End-hosts embed tiny programs into packets to actively query and ma-nipulate a network’s internal state. We show how this “tiny packet program ” (TPP) interface gives end-hosts unprece-dented visibility into network behavior, enabling them to work with the network to achieve a desired functionality. Our design leverages what each component does best: (a) switches forward and execute tiny packet programs (at most 5 instructions) in-band at line rate, and (b) end-hosts per-form arbitrary (and easily updated) computation on network state. By implementing three different research proposals, we show that TPPs are useful. Using a hardware prototype on a NetFPGA, we show our design is feasible at a reason-able cost. 1