Virtualizing Network Processors

Authors

Ben Wun, Washington University in St Louis
Jonathan Turner, Washington University in St LouisFollow
Patrick Crowley, Washington University in St LouisFollow

Document Type

Technical Report

Department

Computer Science and Engineering

Publication Date

2006-01-01

Filename

wucse-2006-12.pdf

Technical Report Number

WUCSE-2006-12

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of virtualizing the resources of a network processor (NP) in order to allow multiple third-parties to execute their own virtual router software on a single physical router at the same time. Our broad interest is in designing such a router capable of supporting virtual networking. We discuss the issues and challenges involved in this virtualization, and then describe specific techniques for virtualizing both the control and data-plane processors on NPs. For Intel IXP NPs in particular, we present a dynamic, macro-based technique for virtualization that allows multiple virtual routers to run on multiple data plane processors (or micro-engines) while maintaining memory isolation and enforcing memory bandwidth allocations.

Comments

Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.7936/K7251GFK

Recommended Citation

Wun, Ben; Turner, Jonathan; and Crowley, Patrick, "Virtualizing Network Processors" Report Number: WUCSE-2006-12 (2006). All Computer Science and Engineering Research.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/cse_research/161