oxidecomputer / oxidecomputer/propolis

Softnpu: explore alternatives to DLPI

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networking
Dominant language
Rust
Stars
270
Forks
42
Avg merge
4d 5h
Merged PRs (30d)
6

Description

Softnpu currently uses DLPI to transit packets between virtual ASIC ports. DLPI is a packet-at-a-time interface. This results in very slow performance through virtual ASICs and a lot of CPU overhead per packet. We should look for something with better performance. Maybe have softnpu be a virtio producer/consumer?

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First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by tracing Softnpu's current DLPI packet path and measuring its per-packet CPU and throughput costs. Compare a virtio producer/consumer design with the existing transport; done means the alternatives have been evaluated and a concrete faster approach is selected.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
rust
Domain
networking, performance
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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