Development of INT Technology and Global Testbed for Programmable Network Packet
Objective
- To develop service flow–based programmable network packet broker technology, a global testbed is being deployed on KREONET, a production-grade research network. The testbed is used to evaluate and verify the functionality and operation of the packet broker. In addition, the capabilities of the packet broker are extended through the development of In-band Network Telemetry (INT) technology.
Period
2021.04.01 ~ 2023.12.31
Funding
KRW 4 billion
* This project was conducted as a subcontracted task under the IITP Next-Generation Wired Communication Technology Development Program, titled “Development of Service Flow–Based Programmable Network Packet Broker Technology” (Total Budget: KRW 2.75 billion, Lead Organization: Plannet Inc.).
Description
- Programmable switches differ from traditional fixed-function switches in that their data plane functionality is not predefined. Instead, it can be dynamically defined using data plane programming languages such as P4. This characteristic frees programmable switches from the constraints of fixed protocols and network functions, allowing developers to implement customized protocols and data plane behaviors as needed—greatly enhancing flexibility and efficiency in network operations.
- P4 (Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors), a representative data plane programming language, enables the creation of data plane behavior that is decoupled from control plane logic. The P4 compiler generates interfaces that facilitate efficient communication between the data and control planes. Developers can program the control plane to operate in accordance with tables and components defined by the P4 program. This allows for highly flexible and optimized network function implementation, improving overall performance and adaptability.
- INT is a technique that leverages the capabilities of programmable data planes to enhance network monitoring and performance analysis. INT embeds telemetry instructions within selected data packets, enabling real-time tracking of packet paths across the network. This provides continuous visibility into network conditions and allows for rapid diagnosis and response to performance issues as they arise
[In-band Network Telemetry (INT)]
[In-band Network Telemetry (INT) Packet Capturing]
[Network Packet Broker Testbed: Testing and validating the programmable packet broker’s performance.]
Expected Benefits
- Enhanced Visibility: INT enables faster detection of network issues by providing real-time insights into traffic behavior, allowing for quicker diagnosis and resolution.
- Network Optimization: It offers crucial insights into network performance, helping to optimize and improve network efficiency.
- Improved Security: INT facilitates the identification and mitigation of abnormal behavior or potential security threats by offering fine-grained visibility into packet paths and actions.
- Operational Simplicity: P4-based INT allows network administrators to manage and maintain networks more effectively through programmable, on-demand telemetry and analytics.