2nd International IEEE/Create-Net Conference on Testbeds and Research Infrastructures for the Development of Networks and Communities

Research Article

Building experimental virtual routers with network processors

  • @INPROCEEDINGS{10.1109/TRIDNT.2006.1649151,
        author={Douglas  Comer and Maxim  Martynov},
        title={Building experimental virtual routers with network processors},
        proceedings={2nd International IEEE/Create-Net Conference on Testbeds and Research Infrastructures for the Development of Networks and Communities},
        publisher={IEEE},
        proceedings_a={TRIDENTCOM},
        year={2006},
        month={7},
        keywords={},
        doi={10.1109/TRIDNT.2006.1649151}
    }
    
  • Douglas Comer
    Maxim Martynov
    Year: 2006
    Building experimental virtual routers with network processors
    TRIDENTCOM
    IEEE
    DOI: 10.1109/TRIDNT.2006.1649151
Douglas Comer1,*, Maxim Martynov1,*
  • 1: Cisco Systems and Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
*Contact email: comer@cs.purdue.edu, martynov@cs.purdue.edu

Abstract

In this paper we describe the design and implementation of a system that uses network processors to support virtual and overlay routing. Because they are difficult to program and software development environments do not allow easy update, network processors are typically used as a replacement for hardware that performs fixed, well-known functions such as layer 3 forwarding. In contrast, experimental networking (e.g., overlay networks or multiple logical routers on a given interface) mandates rapid dynamic update of protocol software running on a network processor. To solve the problem, we created an underlying framework and programming interface that allows the dynamic extension of network processor forwarding capabilities without requiring the creation of an entirely new software image. The paper reports experience implementing our scheme.