NeTS: Small: Network Function Virtualization Using Dynamic Reconfiguration

NeTS：小型：使用动态重新配置的网络功能虚拟化

• 批准号: 1525836
• 负责人: Russell Tessier
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: University of Massachusetts Amherst
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2015-10-01 至 2019-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1525836&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NeTS; Small; Network; Function; Virtualization

Over the past decade, a wide-ranging collection of network functions have been used to accommodate the needs of network users. A diverse set of network functions, including firewalls, security filters, and quality of service enhancers have been implemented using increasingly complex techniques. These functions are used to support predictable, high performance in data and multimedia network environments. To promote flexibility, there has been recent interest in replacing dedicated network hardware with programmable network functions. This approach, called network function virtualization (NFV), allows for the rapid adaptation of network services as security and performance requirements change. NFV allows network administrators to support different network policies by using appropriate programmable network functions on demand.In this project, a new hardware-based approach to NFV construction that provides scalability and programmability, while supporting significant hardware-level parallelism, will be developed. The computing platform will use a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to implement numerous NFV operations that can be customized to specific network flow needs. As the number of required functions and their characteristics change, the hardware in the FPGA can be reconfigured to support the updated requirements. The management of the deployed classifiers and traffic management functions will be performed by a resource manager which is executed on an accompanying microprocessor. The researchers will create a series of software tools and hardware modules to evaluate the approach, Architectural resources will be managed by a new resource allocation algorithm that will allow for the effective use of the available FPGA area under NFV performance constraints. This algorithm will run periodically to allow for dynamic rebalancing of FPGA resources. Broader Impact: Two specific programs to broaden the impact of the work will be developed. These efforts will include a new undergraduate curriculum in network function virtualization focused on scalable real-world systems and a student-run research workshop which will allow students to present their work. FPGA and networking companies will be encouraged to use this technology in new product development.

在过去的十年中，广泛的网络功能集合被用来满足网络用户的需求。各种各样的网络功能，包括防火墙、安全过滤器和服务质量增强器，已经使用日益复杂的技术来实现。这些功能用于支持数据和多媒体网络环境中的可预测、高性能。为了提高灵活性，最近人们对用可编程网络功能取代专用网络硬件产生了兴趣。这种方法称为网络功能虚拟化 (NFV)，允许随着安全和性能要求的变化而快速适应网络服务。 NFV 允许网络管理员根据需要使用适当的可编程网络功能来支持不同的网络策略。在该项目中，将开发一种新的基于硬件的 NFV 构建方法，该方法提供可扩展性和可编程性，同时支持重要的硬件级并行性。该计算平台将使用现场可编程门阵列（FPGA）来实现众多可根据特定网络流需求进行定制的 NFV 操作。随着所需功能的数量及其特性发生变化，FPGA 中的硬件可以重新配置以支持更新的要求。所部署的分类器和流量管理功能的管理将由在随附的微处理器上执行的资源管理器执行。研究人员将创建一系列软件工具和硬件模块来评估该方法，架构资源将通过新的资源分配算法进行管理，该算法将允许在 NFV 性能限制下有效利用可用的 FPGA 区域。该算法将定期运行，以实现 FPGA 资源的动态重新平衡。更广泛的影响：将制定两个具体计划来扩大工作的影响。这些努力将包括一个新的网络功能虚拟化本科课程，重点关注可扩展的现实世界系统，以及一个学生举办的研究研讨会，让学生展示他们的工作。将鼓励 FPGA 和网络公司在新产品开发中使用该技术。