P4 Experiment Environment (Overview)
P4 Experiment Environment is an experiment environment for SDN (Software Defined Network) technology using the data plane programming language "P4". We provide three types of switches and NICs: software switches, hardware switches, and Smart NICs at four locations in Tokyo (Koganei and Otemachi), Nagoya, and Osaka.
What is P4?
P4 stands for "Programming Protocol-independent Packet Processors" and is a domain-specific language (DSL) that enables to program the data plane of network devices.
Two description languages, P414, P416 are defined.
For details, please refer to the following site.
https://p4.org/
Configuration of the P4 experiment environment (1 site)
A BMv2 (Behavioral Model version 2) software switch, developed and provided by the P4 Language Consortium is available. We provide BMv2 and VMs in the topology required by the user. The per-user data plane is consisted of VXLANs.
Service Offerings
(1) Experiment environment with software switches
A BMv2 (Behavioral Model version 2) software switch, developed and provided by the P4 Language Consortium is available. We provide BMv2 and VMs in the topology required by the user. The per-user data plane is consisted of VXLANs.
(2) Experiment Environment with hardware switches
A P4 Experiment Environment using Edgecore Networks’s Wedge 100BF-32X is available. The Software Development Environment (SDE) required for development should be prepared by the user.
The usage schedule may need to be adjusted depending on the usage situation of other users. Please contact us for information.
(3) Experiment Environment with Smart NIC
A P4 Experiment Environment using Intel FPGA PAC N3000 is available. The port speed is 40 Gbps per port.
The usage schedule may need to be adjusted depending on the usage situation of other users. Please contact us for information.
Experiment environment to be provided in the future
The following experiment environment is to be provided.
- Experimental environment with multi-user hardware switches (Available since April 2023)
Procedures for use
If you have any questions about the P4 Experiment Environment, please feel free to contact the following.
Contact for consultation and inquiries
ICT Testbed Research and Development Promotion Center
NICT’s Integrated Testbed Secretariat
Email: tb-info[at]ml.nict.go.jp
* Please send it with @ for [at].