Data center networks offer multiple parallel paths between a source-destination pair. But, due to the use of TCAM based single logical step ‘path-search and selection’ mechanism in the switches, most… Click to show full abstract
Data center networks offer multiple parallel paths between a source-destination pair. But, due to the use of TCAM based single logical step ‘path-search and selection’ mechanism in the switches, most of the existing packet forwarding systems can utilize only a single-best path. It prevents them from utilizing the benefit of multiple paths for achieving application-specific QoS objectives. In this work, we propose P4KP, a programmable switch-based novel scheme for utilizing the top-k best paths toward a destination in a QoS-aware manner. P4KP complements TCAM’s path-selection capability using SRAM; decouples path-searching from path-selection and facilitates the path-selection using an SRAM-based data structure. Its SRAM-based data structure reduces costly TCAM usage and enables the efficient update of the top-k best paths in the data plane. P4KP also provides a bitmask-based API to express the QoS-based policy for selecting one-of-the-top-k best paths. We implemented P4KP using P4 language to demonstrate that it is realizable in currently available programmable switches while maintaining line-rate throughput. Our preliminary evaluation shows that P4KP significantly reduces the stateful memory consumption in programmable switches and achieves improved performance.
               
Click one of the above tabs to view related content.