2025/03/21 by Ma, Mingyu, Nguyen, Giang T.
#C.2.1 #FOS: Computer and information sciences #I.6.5 #Networking and Internet Architecture (cs.NI)
paper · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2503.17554
Programmable data planes enable users to design data plane algorithms for network devices, providing extensive flexibility for network customization. Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors (P4) has become the most widely adopted abstraction, programming language, and framework for data plane programming. However, existing simulation platforms lack high-performance support for P4-based networks. This paper introduces P4sim, a high-performance P4-driven simulation framework built on bmv2 and NS4, seamlessly integrated with ns-3. It improves queue modeling, time scheduling, and P4 architecture support, extending compatibility to V1model, PSA, and PNA. P4sim enables efficient packet processing, accurate time tracking, and seamless interaction between P4-enabled hosts and switches. We evaluate the P4sim in terms of performance and queue management and demonstrate its capabilities using two common use cases: Basic Tunneling and Load Balancing. The results highlight the P4sim as a powerful tool for advancing research and education in programmable networks.