NS4: Enabling Programmable Data Plane Simulation

摘要: Network simulation plays a crucial role in the field of network research, education, and industry. However, before conducting on traditional simulators, operators need to develop simulative behavioral model, which requires intimate knowledge simulator implementation. Besides, model cannot be migrated directly into real-world devices due its tight coupling with platform, resulting redundant error-prone codes rewriting. Recently, P4, high-level domain specific language (DSL), has attracted great attention from both academia industry for advantages enabling define behaviors programmable data plane. Inspired by idea DSL, we present NS4, P4-driven supporting P4-enabled networks address problems existing simulators. Taking advantage NS4 simplifies development bridges gap between deployment. Furthermore, best our knowledge, is first research effort enable network, providing useful tool P4 development. In this paper, designed implemented consisting plane models integrated ns-3, state-of-the-art simulator, control interact pipeline. Then evaluated effectiveness efficiency simulating several representative programs. Results show that can simulate large-scale at low cost.