P4 Alternate Marking Algorithm

In this repository you may find an implementation of the algorithms Double Marking and Multiple Marking with p4-switches and a C program. It is based on the Project: https://github.com/MichaelBun/time_stamping_simulation_P4

Some Background First

This project ... In addition we created a MiniNet simulation network model that demonstrates the benefits of the mentioned features.
Specifically, this repository includes a demo that uses the time-of-day metadata to exhibit a round-robin like routing, that helps us load balance the system, in order to increase packet throughput.

Before Getting Started

This simulation was run on Ubuntu 14.04 and on Mininet 2.2.2. It should work on later versions as well.
For the simulation it is required to have about 400MB of free disk space.

Topology

The topology we use in our simulation network is as follows :

Installation

1. Run: sudo apt-get install python-pip and sudo apt-get install git
2. Select or create a directory for the project and change current directory to it using the terminal
3. Run:
   • git clone https://github.com/MichaelBun/behavioral-model bmv2
   • git clone https://github.com/p4lang/p4c-bm p4c-bmv2
     We are cloning the P4 required files and its behavioral model. Please notice, the bmv2, p4c-bmv2 directories must be in the same parent directory.
4. Enter the p4c-bmv2 directory, and run: sudo pip install -r requirements.txt
5. Return to the parent directory and move to the bmv2 directory.
   Run the following scripts by order (add execution permission if needed):
   • install_deps.sh
   • autogen.sh
   • configure
   • Use make to build the code
6. From the parent directory containing bmv2 and p4c-bmv2.
   Run: git clone https://github.com/AlternateMarkingP4/FlaseClase.git
   • In directory FlaseClase run permissions.sh (add execution permission if needed).
7. Install Mininet (skip this part if you already have the newest Mininet version installed).
   From the desired location, run by order:
   • git clone git://github.com/mininet/mininet
   • mininet/util/install.sh
8. Install the scapy, thrift, and networkx python packeges, running: sudo pip install scapy thrift networkx
9. Install iperf using: sudo apt-get install iperf

Running the Double Marking algorithm

1. Move to the FlaseClase/simulation_double directory, and run the script run_demo.sh (add execution permission if needed).
2. Check if the system topology is connected using h1 ping h2.
   If you see that packets are transmitted between the hosts you can move on to the next step
3. Inside the mininet command prompt open a terminal for hosts 1 and 2 using : xterm h1 h2
4. Run on host 2: iperf -su -i -1.
5. On a different terminal run from FlaseClase directory run_double_marking.sh.
   
6. Run on host 1: iperf -c 10.0.0.2 -u -b 2m -t 60.
   
7. When you are done, you must exit the Mininet environment using exit in the mininet promt (See note)

Running the Multiplexed Marking algorithm

1. Move to the FlaseClase/simulation_multiplexed directory, and run the script run_demo.sh (add execution permission if needed).
2. Check if the system topology is connected using h1 ping h2.
   If you see that packets are transmitted between the hosts you can move on to the next step
3. Inside the mininet command prompt open a terminal for hosts 1 and 2 using : xterm h1 h2.
4. Run on host 2: iperf -su -i -1.
5. On a different terminal run from FlaseClase directory run_multiplexed_marking.sh.
   
6. Run on host 1: iperf -c 10.0.0.2 -u -b 2m -t 60.
   
7. When you are done, you must exit the Mininet environment using exit in the mininet promt (See note)

Changing mininet loss and delay configurations

In the simulation directories change in the topo.py file on line 62 you may notice the current configuration (i.e. loss = 5 and delay = 2 seconds). For chanches take effect one must: - Close the mininet by typing in mininet shell exit. - Clean mininet sudo mn -c. - Restart the mininet as in step 1 of Running the Double/Multiplexed Marking algorithm

Changing Cycle length

In this current configuration both algorithms perform the loss and delay check about every 8 seconds. Thus, delay above 8 seconds can not be measured. In order to increase the cycle of the algorythm in each of the simulation directories we need to make changes in both commands1.txt and commands4.txt i.e. the tables of the sending and receiving switches. Instructions how to change the cycle from 8 to 16 seconds:
- In each of those files for every line with the &&& P4 operator we have on the right to the &&& a binary sequence. we need to shift the '1' on it to the left.
- In each of those files for every line with the &&& P4 operator we have on the left a decimal number (2^35 or zero). we need to double it.
Example:
This --> 34359738368&&&0b0000000000000000000000000000100000000000000000000000000000000000
To ----> 68719476736&&&0b0000000000000000000000000001000000000000000000000000000000000000

Note

If Mininet was closed improperly, please use sudo mn -c before doing anything else to clean up any residue left by the Mininet software.

Credits

This project was built by Yonnie Kirzon and Alon Riesenberg (undergrad students in the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology) for their BSc degree with the supervision of Tal Mizrahi, PhD, in association with Marvell Israel.

Our system is based in the source routing example from the SIGCOMM 2015 P4 tutorial, and our switch code is based on the P4 simple router example.