• cloud computing
• container
• DPDK
• kernel bypass
• Linux
• networking
• NFV
• VNF

In the domain of network operators, recent technological trends led to replacing traditional physical networking infrastructures with more flexible cloud-based systems, which can be dynamically instantiated on demand. The paradigm represented by Network Function Virtualization (NFV) aims to replace most of the highly specialized hardware appliances that traditionally are used to build a network infrastructure with software-based Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) to improve network flexibility. A number of network functions need high-performance and low end-to-end latency. Primary research focus is now into reducing per-packet processing overheads by using user-space networking techniques, allowing applications to avoid the kernel when exchanging data between containers, either on the same machine or between different hosts. These techniques are generally indicated as kernel bypass mechanisms. In this thesis, a benchmarking framework has been designed and realized, for the purpose of comparing different kernel bypass mechanisms that can be used to exchange data between VNFs deployed on OS containers within a private cloud infrastructure, to determine which is the most suitable to build efficient network infrastructures in the cloud. Among these mechanisms, this work focuses on the evaluation of the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) framework and other tools that are built on top of it (e.g. software virtual switches).