Runtime Programmable Switches

Explore the concept of runtime programmable switches in this 16-minute conference talk from NSDI '22. Dive into the FlexCore project, which enables partial reconfiguration of switch data planes at runtime with minimal resource overhead and without service disruption. Learn about design techniques for future networks, including flexible switch architectures, partial reconfiguration primitives, and consistency guarantees. Discover how FlexCore addresses challenges in switch architectures, implements atomic changes, and provides multi-level consistency for multi-stage pipelines. Examine a case study on accelerated multicast and gain insights into the feasibility and benefits of runtime programmable switches for next-generation network management.

Intro
Background: Programmable switche
From compile-time to runtime programm
Benefits of runtime programmability
FlexCore: A whole-stack design
Flexible switch architect
Solution: Disaggregated RMT architect
Partial reconfiguration with indirectid
More partial reconfiguration primitive
Atomic changes
Solution: Version control with FlexEd
Finer-grained partial upd
Solution: Multi-level consistency for multi-s
Implementation and setup
Case study: Accelerated multicast
More results in the paper
Summary