Implementing a per-flow token bucket using open packet processor

Abstract

In this paper we show how to realize a per-flow QoS (Quality of Service) policy based on the token bucket algorithm using OPP (Open Packet Processor), a recently proposed stateful programmable dataplane. OPP is configured as a switch that enforce a token bucket policy independently on each flow processed by the switch controlling their bandwidth and burstiness. The paper shows the design of the token bucket algorithm using the extended finite state machine (EFSM) abstraction provided by OPP and discusses the details of the implementation carried out using a proof-of-concept FPGA prototype of the OPP pipeline.