This document summarizes an experiment using a backpack-sized DPDK development and test environment. The objectives were to demonstrate eliminating packet processing impacts of virtualization, create a portable "virtual router on a pendrive" proof of concept, and provide an efficient and affordable standalone DPDK environment. The hardware included a mini-ITX motherboard, Intel Xeon CPU, 32GB memory, and two X710 NICs enabled via PCIe bifurcation. Testing showed the environment could process over 10 Gbps of traffic while consuming around 111 watts of power, comparable to a desktop computer.

1. DPDK Summit - San Jose – 2017
SafetyOrange
#DPDKSummit

2. #DPDKSummit
An experiment on a backpack-size DPDK
development and test environment
andras.kovacs@ericsson.com
laszlo.vadkeri@ericsson.com

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Objectives
u Demonstrate that our infrastructure can eliminate the packet processing
impacts of virtualization
u PoC of ‘virtual router on a pendrive’ for portability and demo purposes
u Free yet powerful packet generator (Pktgen-DPDK)
u Efficient and affordable standalone DPDK environment (personal PoD)
u PCIe bifurcation for our use case (increase port density)

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The hardware
u Mini-ITX motherboard (6.7” x 6.7”)
u Intel low-power Xeon CPU (14c/28t)
u 32Gbyte memory (4 channels)
u PCIe riser splitter for PCIe bifurcation
u 2 x X710 NICs (both in 4x10G mode)
u NFC S4 Mini case (4.3 liter / 1.14 gallon)
http://nfc-systems.com/s4-mini/

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PCIe bifurcation
“The ability to support multiple PCIe devices using a single PCIe slot”
u E.g. Intel Niantic (X520) and Fortville (X710) cards use only x8 PCI-E lanes
u If the motherboard supports it then a x16 PCIe can be split into x8x8 slots
(or even further… x4x4x4x4)
u Port density can be increased (even to oversubscription)

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Test setups
Traffic
Generator
8x10G
user
Forwarding
Plane
Control
Plane
Control
Plane
Forwarding
Plane
Traffic
Generator
2x1G
control
8x10G
user

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Previous Work
DPDK Summit 2014 DPDK Userspace 2015

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The layer that makes it all possible
u Abstraction layer for environment independence
u Memory management forged to make best use of x86 architecture
u Predictable high performance and low latency
u High Availability enhancements
u Runs both native and virtualized mode

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Finetuning
u Ability to remap all CPU resources. Allows easy adaptation to environment specific HT
sibling mappings. Can also be utilized to change the CPU resources dedicated to IO /
forwarding / application packet processing etc.
Background
I/O (load balance)
Execution Unit
0
14
132 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 121
15 2716 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
0 1 132 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
14 15 2716 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
u Tuned CPU allocation after initial measurements and bottlenecks identified
(simple reconfiguration)

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Pktgen-DPDK sample
10G ports 13Mpps
79.1Gbps
740byte packets
...

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Power consumption
● Measured with a Kill-A-Watt P4400.01 at the wall
● 35W idle (half of a dual socket blade with 2x E5-2620v3 (6c/12ht))
● 99W with 2BG/4IO/22EU without traffic
● 111W max at highest load (range of a desktop replacement notebook)

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Thank you!