P4: Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors

Paper Review for "P4: Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors"

 

Abstract

Definition:

P4 is a high-level languange for programming protocol-independent packet processors

  - works in conjunction with SDN control protocols like OpenFlow.

  - used to confiture a switch, telling it how packets are to be processed.

  - Raises the level of abstraction for programming the network

  - serve as a general inerface between the controller and the switches.

  - sweet spot that balance the need for expressiveness wit hthe ease of implementation across a wide range of hardware and software switches.

 

1. Introduction

1) SDN gives operators programmatic control over their networks

             - control plone is physically separate from the forwarding plane.

             - one control plane controls multiple forwarding devices

             - enalbes a control plane to control forwarding devices from different hardware and software vendors

                (software & hardware independent)

2) OpenFlow interfaces

    - with the abstraction of a singl table of rules that could match packets on a dozen header fields.

3) Proliferation of new header fields Examples.

   - data-center network operators want to apply new forms of packet encapsulation, fo