docs: reorganize docs for the sphinx build

Reorganize docs into the appropriate folders for the new sphinx build.
JIRA: VSPERF-80

Change-Id: I9dcd74e092ce52546a0986b92a1ebb2b5b7419bf
Signed-off-by: Ramprasad Velavarthipati <ram.v@freescale.com>
Signed-off-by: Maryam Tahhan <maryam.tahhan@intel.com>
Reviewed-by: Trinath Somanchi <trinath.somanchi@gmail.com>

1 files changed, 2002 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/docs/test_spec/vswitchperf_ltd.rst b/docs/test_spec/vswitchperf_ltd.rst
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+CHARACTERIZE VSWITCH PERFORMANCE FOR TELCO NFV USE CASES LEVEL TEST DESIGN
+==========================================================================
+
+.. contents:: Table of Contents
+
+1. Introduction
+===============
+
+The objective of the OPNFV project titled
+**“Characterize vSwitch Performance for Telco NFV Use Cases”**, is to
+evaluate a virtual switch to identify its suitability for a Telco
+Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environment. The intention of this
+Level Test Design (LTD) document is to specify the set of tests to carry
+out in order to objectively measure the current characteristics of a
+virtual switch in the Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure
+(NFVI) as well as the test pass criteria. The detailed test cases will
+be defined in `Section 2 <#DetailsOfTheLevelTestDesign>`__, preceded by
+the `Document identifier <#DocId>`__ and the `Scope <#Scope>`__.
+
+This document is currently in draft form.
+
+1.1. Document identifier
+------------------------
+
+The document id will be used to uniquely
+identify versions of the LTD. The format for the document id will be:
+OPNFV\_vswitchperf\_LTD\_ver\_NUM\_MONTH\_YEAR\_STATUS, where by the
+status is one of: draft, reviewed, corrected or final. The document id
+for this version of the LTD is:
+OPNFV\_vswitchperf\_LTD\_ver\_1.6\_Jan\_15\_DRAFT.
+
+1.2. Scope
+----------
+
+The main purpose of this project is to specify a suite of
+performance tests in order to objectively measure the current packet
+transfer characteristics of a virtual switch in the NFVI. The intent of
+the project is to facilitate testing of any virtual switch. Thus, a
+generic suite of tests shall be developed, with no hard dependencies to
+a single implementation. In addition, the test case suite shall be
+architecture independent.
+
+The test cases developed in this project shall not form part of a
+separate test framework, all of these tests may be inserted into the
+Continuous Integration Test Framework and/or the Platform Functionality
+Test Framework - if a vSwitch becomes a standard component of an OPNFV
+release.
+
+1.3. References
+---------------
+
+*  `RFC 1242 Benchmarking Terminology for Network Interconnection
+   Devices <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1242.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 2544 Benchmarking Methodology for Network Interconnect
+   Devices <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 2285 Benchmarking Terminology for LAN Switching
+   Devices <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2285.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 2889 Benchmarking Methodology for LAN Switching
+   Devices <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2889.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 3918 Methodology for IP Multicast
+   Benchmarking <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3918.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 4737 Packet Reordering
+   Metrics <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc4737.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 5481 Packet Delay Variation Applicability
+   Statement <http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__
+*  `RFC 6201 Device Reset
+   Characterization <http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6201>`__
+
+2. Details of the Level Test Design
+===================================
+
+This section describes the features to be tested (`cf. 2.1
+<#FeaturesToBeTested>`__), the test approach (`cf. 2.2 <#Approach>`__);
+it also identifies the sets of test cases or scenarios (`cf. 2.3
+<#TestIdentification>`__) along with the pass/fail criteria (`cf. 2.4
+<#PassFail>`__) and the test deliverables (`cf. 2.5 <#TestDeliverables>`__).
+
+2.1. Features to be tested
+--------------------------
+
+Characterizing virtual switches (i.e. Device Under Test (DUT) in this document)
+includes measuring the following performance metrics:
+
+- **Throughput** as defined by `RFC1242
+  <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1242.txt>`__: The maximum rate at which
+  **none** of the offered frames are dropped by the DUT. The maximum frame
+  rate and bit rate that can be transmitted by the DUT without any error
+  should be recorded. Note there is an equivalent bit rate and a specific
+  layer at which the payloads contribute to the bits. Errors and
+  improperly formed frames or packets are dropped.
+- **Packet delay** introduced by the DUT and its cumulative effect on
+  E2E networks. Frame delay can be measured equivalently.
+- **Packet delay variation**: measured from the perspective of the
+  VNF/application. Packet delay variation is sometimes called "jitter".
+  However, we will avoid the term "jitter" as the term holds different
+  meaning to different groups of people. In this document we will
+  simply use the term packet delay variation. The preferred form for this
+  metric is the PDV form of delay variation defined in `RFC5481
+  <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__. The most relevant
+  measurement of PDV considers the delay variation of a single user flow,
+  as this will be relevant to the size of end-system buffers to compensate
+  for delay variation. The measurement system's ability to store the
+  delays of individual packets in the flow of interest is a key factor
+  that determines the specific measurement method. At the outset, it is
+  ideal to view the complete PDV distribution. Systems that can capture
+  and store packets and their delays have the freedom to calculate the
+  reference minimum delay and to determine various quantiles of the PDV
+  distribution accurately (in post-measurement processing routines).
+  Systems without storage must apply algorithms to calculate delay and
+  statistical measurements on the fly. For example, a system may store
+  temporary estimates of the mimimum delay and the set of (100) packets
+  with the longest delays during measurement (to calculate a high quantile,
+  and update these sets with new values periodically.
+  In some cases, a limited number of delay histogram bins will be
+  available, and the bin limits will need to be set using results from
+  repeated experiments. See section 8 of `RFC5481
+  <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__.
+- **Packet loss** (within a configured waiting time at the receiver): All
+  packets sent to the DUT should be accounted for.
+- **Burst behaviour**: measures the ability of the DUT to buffer packets.
+- **Packet re-ordering**: measures the ability of the device under test to
+  maintain sending order throughout transfer to the destination.
+- **Packet correctness**: packets or Frames must be well-formed, in that
+  they include all required fields, conform to length requirements, pass
+  integrity checks, etc.
+- **Availability and capacity** of the DUT i.e. when the DUT is fully “up”
+  and connected:
+
+  - Includes power consumption of the CPU (in various power states) and
+    system.
+  - Includes CPU utilization.
+  - Includes the number of NIC interfaces supported.
+  - Includes headroom of VM workload processing cores (i.e. available
+    for applications).
+
+
+2.2. Approach
+==============
+
+In order to determine the packet transfer characteristics of a virtual
+switch, the tests will be broken down into the following categories:
+
+2.2.1 Test Categories
+----------------------
+- **Throughput Tests** to measure the maximum forwarding rate (in
+  frames per second or fps) and bit rate (in Mbps) for a constant load
+  (as defined by `RFC1242 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc1242.txt>`__)
+  without traffic loss.
+- **Packet and Frame Delay Tests** to measure average, min and max
+  packet and frame delay for constant loads.
+- **Stream Performance Tests** (TCP, UDP) to measure bulk data transfer
+  performance, i.e. how fast systems can send and receive data through
+  the virtual switch.
+- **Request/Response Performance** Tests (TCP, UDP) the measure the
+  transaction rate through the virtual switch.
+- **Packet Delay Tests** to understand latency distribution for
+  different packet sizes and over an extended test run to uncover
+  outliers.
+- **Scalability Tests** to understand how the virtual switch performs
+  as the number of flows, active ports, complexity of the forwarding
+  logic's configuration... it has to deal with increases.
+- **Control Path and Datapath Coupling** Tests, to understand how
+  closely coupled the datapath and the control path are as well as the
+  effect of this coupling on the performance of the DUT.
+- **CPU and Memory Consumption Tests** to understand the virtual
+  switch’s footprint on the system, this includes:
+
+  * CPU utilization
+  * Cache utilization
+  * Memory footprint
+  * Time To Establish Flows Tests.
+
+- **Noisy Neighbour Tests**, to understand the effects of resource
+  sharing on the performance of a virtual switch.
+
+**Note:** some of the tests above can be conducted simultaneously where
+the combined results would be insightful, for example Packet/Frame Delay
+and Scalability.
+
+2.2.2 Deployment Scenarios
+--------------------------
+The following represents possible deployments which can help to
+determine the performance of both the virtual switch and the datapath
+into the VNF:
+
+Physical port → vSwitch → physical port
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                            _
+       +--------------------------------------------------+  |
+       |              +--------------------+              |  |
+       |              |                    |              |  |
+       |              |                    v              |  |  Host
+       |   +--------------+            +--------------+   |  |
+       |   |   phy port   |  vSwitch   |   phy port   |   |  |
+       +---+--------------+------------+--------------+---+ _|
+                  ^                           :
+                  |                           |
+                  :                           v
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+       |                                                  |
+       |                traffic generator                 |
+       |                                                  |
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+Physical port → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch → physical port
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                             _
+       +---------------------------------------------------+  |
+       |                                                   |  |
+       |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+       |   |                 Application               |   |  |
+       |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+       |       ^                                  :        |  |
+       |       |                                  |        |  |  Guest
+       |       :                                  v        |  |
+       |   +---------------+           +---------------+   |  |
+       |   | logical port 0|           | logical port 1|   |  |
+       +---+---------------+-----------+---------------+---+ _|
+               ^                                  :
+               |                                  |
+               :                                  v         _
+       +---+---------------+----------+---------------+---+  |
+       |   | logical port 0|          | logical port 1|   |  |
+       |   +---------------+          +---------------+   |  |
+       |       ^                                  :       |  |
+       |       |                                  |       |  |  Host
+       |       :                                  v       |  |
+       |   +--------------+            +--------------+   |  |
+       |   |   phy port   |  vSwitch   |   phy port   |   |  |
+       +---+--------------+------------+--------------+---+ _|
+                  ^                           :
+                  |                           |
+                  :                           v
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+       |                                                  |
+       |                traffic generator                 |
+       |                                                  |
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+Physical port → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch → physical port
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                       _
+    +----------------------+  +----------------------+  |
+    |   Guest 1            |  |   Guest 2            |  |
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |   |  Application  |  |  |   |  Application  |  |  |
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |       ^       |      |  |       ^       |      |  |
+    |       |       v      |  |       |       v      |  |  Guests
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |   | logical ports |  |  |   | logical ports |  |  |
+    |   |   0       1   |  |  |   |   0       1   |  |  |
+    +---+---------------+--+  +---+---------------+--+ _|
+            ^       :                 ^       :
+            |       |                 |       |
+            :       v                 :       v        _
+    +---+---------------+---------+---------------+--+  |
+    |   |   0       1   |         |   3       4   |  |  |
+    |   | logical ports |         | logical ports |  |  |
+    |   +---------------+         +---------------+  |  |
+    |       ^       |                 ^       |      |  |  Host
+    |       |       L-----------------+       v      |  |
+    |   +--------------+          +--------------+   |  |
+    |   |   phy ports  | vSwitch  |   phy ports  |   |  |
+    +---+--------------+----------+--------------+---+ _|
+            ^       ^                 :       :
+            |       |                 |       |
+            :       :                 v       v
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+    |                                                  |
+    |                traffic generator                 |
+    |                                                  |
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+Physical port → vSwitch → VNF
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                          _
+    +---------------------------------------------------+  |
+    |                                                   |  |
+    |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+    |   |                 Application               |   |  |
+    |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+    |       ^                                           |  |
+    |       |                                           |  |  Guest
+    |       :                                           |  |
+    |   +---------------+                               |  |
+    |   | logical port 0|                               |  |
+    +---+---------------+-------------------------------+ _|
+            ^
+            |
+            :                                            _
+    +---+---------------+------------------------------+  |
+    |   | logical port 0|                              |  |
+    |   +---------------+                              |  |
+    |       ^                                          |  |
+    |       |                                          |  |  Host
+    |       :                                          |  |
+    |   +--------------+                               |  |
+    |   |   phy port   |  vSwitch                      |  |
+    +---+--------------+------------ -------------- ---+ _|
+               ^
+               |
+               :
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+    |                                                  |
+    |                traffic generator                 |
+    |                                                  |
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+VNF → vSwitch → physical port
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                          _
+    +---------------------------------------------------+  |
+    |                                                   |  |
+    |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+    |   |                 Application               |   |  |
+    |   +-------------------------------------------+   |  |
+    |                                          :        |  |
+    |                                          |        |  |  Guest
+    |                                          v        |  |
+    |                               +---------------+   |  |
+    |                               | logical port  |   |  |
+    +-------------------------------+---------------+---+ _|
+                                               :
+                                               |
+                                               v         _
+    +------------------------------+---------------+---+  |
+    |                              | logical port  |   |  |
+    |                              +---------------+   |  |
+    |                                          :       |  |
+    |                                          |       |  |  Host
+    |                                          v       |  |
+    |                               +--------------+   |  |
+    |                     vSwitch   |   phy port   |   |  |
+    +-------------------------------+--------------+---+ _|
+                                           :
+                                           |
+                                           v
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+    |                                                  |
+    |                traffic generator                 |
+    |                                                  |
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+VNF → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                             _
+    +-------------------------+  +-------------------------+  |
+    |   Guest 1               |  |   Guest 2               |  |
+    |   +-----------------+   |  |   +-----------------+   |  |
+    |   |   Application   |   |  |   |   Application   |   |  |
+    |   +-----------------+   |  |   +-----------------+   |  |
+    |                :        |  |       ^                 |  |
+    |                |        |  |       |                 |  |  Guest
+    |                v        |  |       :                 |  |
+    |     +---------------+   |  |   +---------------+     |  |
+    |     | logical port 0|   |  |   | logical port 0|     |  |
+    +-----+---------------+---+  +---+---------------+-----+ _|
+                    :                    ^
+                    |                    |
+                    v                    :                    _
+    +----+---------------+------------+---------------+-----+  |
+    |    |     port 0    |            |     port 1    |     |  |
+    |    +---------------+            +---------------+     |  |
+    |              :                    ^                   |  |
+    |              |                    |                   |  |  Host
+    |              +--------------------+                   |  |
+    |                                                       |  |
+    |                     vswitch                           |  |
+    +-------------------------------------------------------+ _|
+
+HOST 1(Physical port → virtual switch → VNF → virtual switch →
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+Physical port) → HOST 2(Physical port → virtual switch → VNF →
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+virtual switch → Physical port)
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                       _
+    +----------------------+  +----------------------+  |
+    |   Guest 1            |  |   Guest 2            |  |
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |   |  Application  |  |  |   |  Application  |  |  |
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |       ^       |      |  |       ^       |      |  |
+    |       |       v      |  |       |       v      |  |  Guests
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |   | logical ports |  |  |   | logical ports |  |  |
+    |   |   0       1   |  |  |   |   0       1   |  |  |
+    +---+---------------+--+  +---+---------------+--+ _|
+            ^       :                 ^       :
+            |       |                 |       |
+            :       v                 :       v        _
+    +---+---------------+--+  +---+---------------+--+  |
+    |   |   0       1   |  |  |   |   3       4   |  |  |
+    |   | logical ports |  |  |   | logical ports |  |  |
+    |   +---------------+  |  |   +---------------+  |  |
+    |       ^       |      |  |       ^       |      |  |  Hosts
+    |       |       v      |  |       |       v      |  |
+    |   +--------------+   |  |   +--------------+   |  |
+    |   |   phy ports  |   |  |   |   phy ports  |   |  |
+    +---+--------------+---+  +---+--------------+---+ _|
+            ^       :                 :       :
+            |       +-----------------+       |
+            :                                 v
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+    |                                                  |
+    |                traffic generator                 |
+    |                                                  |
+    +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+**Note:** For tests where the traffic generator and/or measurement
+receiver are implemented on VM and connected to the virtual switch
+through vNIC, the issues of shared resources and interactions between
+the measurement devices and the device under test must be considered.
+
+**Note:** Some RFC 2889 tests require a full-mesh sending and receiving
+pattern involving more than two ports. This possibility is illustrated in the
+Physical port → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch → VNF → vSwitch → physical port
+diagram above (with 2 sending and 2 receiving ports, though all ports
+could be used bi-directionally).
+
+**Note:** When Deployment Scenarios are used in RFC 2889 address learning
+or cache capacity testing, an additional port from the vSwitch must be
+connected to the test device. This port is used to listen for flooded
+frames.
+
+2.2.3 General Methodology:
+--------------------------
+To establish the baseline performance of the virtual switch, tests would
+initially be run with a simple workload in the VNF (the recommended
+simple workload VNF would be `DPDK <http://www.dpdk.org/>`__'s testpmd
+application forwarding packets in a VM or vloop\_vnf a simple kernel
+module that forwards traffic between two network interfaces inside the
+virtualized environment while bypassing the networking stack).
+Subsequently, the tests would also be executed with a real Telco
+workload running in the VNF, which would exercise the virtual switch in
+the context of higher level Telco NFV use cases, and prove that its
+underlying characteristics and behaviour can be measured and validated.
+Suitable real Telco workload VNFs are yet to be identified.
+
+2.2.3.1 Default Test Parameters
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+The following list identifies the default parameters for suite of
+tests:
+
+-  Reference application: Simple forwarding or Open Source VNF.
+-  Frame size (bytes): 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 1280, 1518, 2K, 4k OR
+   Packet size based on use-case (e.g. RTP 64B, 256B) OR Mix of packet sizes as
+   maintained by the Functest project <https://wiki.opnfv.org/traffic_profile_management>.
+-  Reordering check: Tests should confirm that packets within a flow are
+   not reordered.
+-  Duplex: Unidirectional / Bidirectional. Default: Full duplex with
+   traffic transmitting in both directions, as network traffic generally
+   does not flow in a single direction. By default the data rate of
+   transmitted traffic should be the same in both directions, please
+   note that asymmetric traffic (e.g. downlink-heavy) tests will be
+   mentioned explicitly for the relevant test cases.
+-  Number of Flows: Default for non scalability tests is a single flow.
+   For scalability tests the goal is to test with maximum supported
+   flows but where possible will test up to 10 Million flows. Start with
+   a single flow and scale up. By default flows should be added
+   sequentially, tests that add flows simultaneously will explicitly
+   call out their flow addition behaviour. Packets are generated across
+   the flows uniformly with no burstiness.
+-  Traffic Types: UDP, SCTP, RTP, GTP and UDP traffic.
+-  Deployment scenarios are:
+-  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+-  Physical → virtual switch → VNF → virtual switch → physical.
+-  Physical → virtual switch → VNF → virtual switch → VNF → virtual
+   switch → physical.
+-  Physical → virtual switch → VNF.
+-  VNF → virtual switch → Physical.
+-  VNF → virtual switch → VNF.
+
+Tests MUST have these parameters unless otherwise stated. **Test cases
+with non default parameters will be stated explicitly**.
+
+**Note**: For throughput tests unless stated otherwise, test
+configurations should ensure that traffic traverses the installed flows
+through the virtual switch, i.e. flows are installed and have an appropriate
+time out that doesn't expire before packet transmission starts.
+
+2.2.3.2 Flow Classification
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+Virtual switches classify packets into flows by processing and matching
+particular header fields in the packet/frame and/or the input port where
+the packets/frames arrived. The vSwitch then carries out an action on
+the group of packets that match the classification parameters. Thus a
+flow is considered to be a sequence of packets that have a shared set of
+header field values or have arrived on the same port and have the same
+action applied to them. Performance results can vary based on the
+parameters the vSwitch uses to match for a flow. The recommended flow
+classification parameters for L3 vSwitch performance tests are: the
+input port, the source IP address, the destination IP address and the
+Ethernet protocol type field. It is essential to increase the flow
+time-out time on a vSwitch before conducting any performance tests that
+do not measure the flow set-up time. Normally the first packet of a
+particular flow will install the flow in the vSwitch which adds an
+additional latency, subsequent packets of the same flow are not subject
+to this latency if the flow is already installed on the vSwitch.
+
+2.2.3.3 Test Priority
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+Tests will be assigned a priority in order to determine which tests
+should be implemented immediately and which tests implementations
+can be deferred.
+
+Priority can be of following types: - Urgent: Must be implemented
+immediately. - High: Must be implemented in the next release. - Medium:
+May be implemented after the release. - Low: May or may not be
+implemented at all.
+
+2.2.3.4 SUT Setup
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+The SUT should be configured to its "default" state. The
+SUT's configuration or set-up must not change between tests in any way
+other than what is required to do the test. All supported protocols must
+be configured and enabled for each test set up.
+
+2.2.3.4.1 Port Configuration
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The DUT should be configured with n ports where
+n is a multiple of 2. Half of the ports on the DUT should be used as
+ingress ports and the other half of the ports on the DUT should be used
+as egress ports. Where a DUT has more than 2 ports, the ingress data
+streams should be set-up so that they transmit packets to the egress
+ports in sequence so that there is an even distribution of traffic
+across ports. For example, if a DUT has 4 ports 0(ingress), 1(ingress),
+2(egress) and 3(egress), the traffic stream directed at port 0 should
+output a packet to port 2 followed by a packet to port 3. The traffic
+stream directed at port 1 should also output a packet to port 2 followed
+by a packet to port 3.
+
+2.2.3.4.2 Frame Formats
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+Frame formats Layer 2 (data link layer) protocols
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+-  Ethernet II
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |   Ethernet Header   |       Payload      | Check Sum |
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |_____________________|____________________|___________|
+           14 Bytes            46 - 1500 Bytes      4 Bytes
+
+Layer 3 (network layer) protocols
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+
+-  IPv4
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+     +---------------------+--------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |   Ethernet Header   |      IP Header     |       Payload      | Check Sum |
+     +---------------------+--------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |_____________________|____________________|____________________|___________|
+           14 Bytes            20 bytes             26 - 1480 Bytes      4 Bytes
+
+-  IPv6
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+     +---------------------+--------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |   Ethernet Header   |      IP Header     |       Payload      | Check Sum |
+     +---------------------+--------------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |_____________________|____________________|____________________|___________|
+           14 Bytes            40 bytes             26 - 1460 Bytes      4 Bytes
+
+Layer 4 (transport layer) protocols
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  - TCP
+  - UDP
+  - SCTP
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |   Ethernet Header   |      IP Header     | Layer 4 Header  |       Payload      | Check Sum |
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |_____________________|____________________|_________________|____________________|___________|
+           14 Bytes            40 bytes               20 Bytes       6 - 1460 Bytes      4 Bytes
+
+Layer 5 (application layer) protocols
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+  - RTP
+  - GTP
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |   Ethernet Header   |      IP Header     | Layer 4 Header  |       Payload      | Check Sum |
+     +---------------------+--------------------+-----------------+--------------------+-----------+
+     |_____________________|____________________|_________________|____________________|___________|
+           14 Bytes            20 bytes               20 Bytes         Min 6 Bytes       4 Bytes
+
+
+2.2.3.4.3 Packet Throughput
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+There is a difference between an Ethernet frame,
+an IP packet, and a UDP datagram. In the seven-layer OSI model of
+computer networking, packet refers to a data unit at layer 3 (network
+layer). The correct term for a data unit at layer 2 (data link layer) is
+a frame, and at layer 4 (transport layer) is a segment or datagram.
+
+Important concepts related to 10GbE performance are frame rate and
+throughput. The MAC bit rate of 10GbE, defined in the IEEE standard 802
+.3ae, is 10 billion bits per second. Frame rate is based on the bit rate
+and frame format definitions. Throughput, defined in IETF RFC 1242, is
+the highest rate at which the system under test can forward the offered
+load, without loss.
+
+The frame rate for 10GbE is determined by a formula that divides the 10
+billion bits per second by the preamble + frame length + inter-frame
+gap.
+
+The maximum frame rate is calculated using the minimum values of the
+following parameters, as described in the IEEE 802 .3ae standard:
+
+-  Preamble: 8 bytes \* 8 = 64 bits
+-  Frame Length: 64 bytes (minimum) \* 8 = 512 bits
+-  Inter-frame Gap: 12 bytes (minimum) \* 8 = 96 bits
+
+Therefore, Maximum Frame Rate (64B Frames)
+= MAC Transmit Bit Rate / (Preamble + Frame Length + Inter-frame Gap)
+= 10,000,000,000 / (64 + 512 + 96)
+= 10,000,000,000 / 672
+= 14,880,952.38 frame per second (fps)
+
+2.2.3.4.4 System isolation and validation
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+A key consideration when conducting any sort of benchmark is trying to
+ensure the consistency and repeatability of test results between runs.
+When benchmarking the performance of a virtual switch there are many
+factors that can affect the consistency of results. This section
+describes these factors and the measures that can be taken to limit
+their effects. In addition, this section will outline some system tests
+to validate the platform and the VNF before conducting any vSwitch
+benchmarking tests.
+
+System Isolation
+++++++++++++++++
+When conducting a benchmarking test on any SUT, it is essential to limit
+(and if reasonable, eliminate) any noise that may interfere with the
+accuracy of the metrics collected by the test. This noise may be
+introduced by other hardware or software (OS, other applications), and
+can result in significantly varying performance metrics being collected
+between consecutive runs of the same test. In the case of characterizing
+the performance of a virtual switch, there are a number of configuration
+parameters that can help increase the repeatability and stability of
+test results, including:
+
+-  OS/GRUB configuration:
+
+   -  maxcpus = n where n >= 0; limits the kernel to using 'n'
+      processors. Only use exactly what you need.
+   -  isolcpus: Isolate CPUs from the general scheduler. Isolate all
+      CPUs bar one which will be used by the OS.
+   -  use taskset to affinitize the forwarding application and the VNFs
+      onto isolated cores. VNFs and the vSwitch should be allocated
+      their own cores, i.e. must not share the same cores. vCPUs for the
+      VNF should be affinitized to individual cores also.
+   -  Limit the amount of background applications that are running and
+      set OS to boot to runlevel 3. Make sure to kill any unnecessary
+      system processes/daemons.
+   -  Only enable hardware that you need to use for your test – to
+      ensure there are no other interrupts on the system.
+   -  Configure NIC interrupts to only use the cores that are not
+      allocated to any other process (VNF/vSwitch).
+
+-  NUMA configuration: Any unused sockets in a multi-socket system
+   should be disabled.
+-  CPU pinning: The vSwitch and the VNF should each be affinitized to
+   separate logical cores using a combination of maxcpus, isolcpus and
+   taskset.
+-  BIOS configuration: BIOS should be configured for performance where
+   an explicit option exists, sleep states should be disabled, any
+   virtualization optimization technologies should be enabled, and
+   hyperthreading should also be enabled.
+
+System Validation
++++++++++++++++++
+System validation is broken down into two sub-categories: Platform
+validation and VNF validation. The validation test itself involves
+verifying the forwarding capability and stability for the sub-system
+under test. The rationale behind system validation is two fold. Firstly
+to give a tester confidence in the stability of the platform or VNF that
+is being tested; and secondly to provide base performance comparison
+points to understand the overhead introduced by the virtual switch.
+
+* Benchmark platform forwarding capability: This is an OPTIONAL test
+  used to verify the platform and measure the base performance (maximum
+  forwarding rate in fps and latency) that can be achieved by the
+  platform without a vSwitch or a VNF. The following diagram outlines
+  the set-up for benchmarking Platform forwarding capability:
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                            __
+       +--------------------------------------------------+   |
+       |   +------------------------------------------+   |   |
+       |   |                                          |   |   |
+       |   |          l2fw or DPDK L2FWD app          |   |  Host
+       |   |                                          |   |   |
+       |   +------------------------------------------+   |   |
+       |   |                 NIC                      |   |   |
+       +---+------------------------------------------+---+ __|
+                  ^                           :
+                  |                           |
+                  :                           v
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+       |                                                  |
+       |                traffic generator                 |
+       |                                                  |
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+* Benchmark VNF forwarding capability: This test is used to verify
+  the VNF and measure the base performance (maximum forwarding rate in
+  fps and latency) that can be achieved by the VNF without a vSwitch.
+  The performance metrics collected by this test will serve as a key
+  comparison point for NIC passthrough technologies and vSwitches. VNF
+  in this context refers to the hypervisor and the VM. The following
+  diagram outlines the set-up for benchmarking VNF forwarding
+  capability:
+
+  .. code-block:: console
+
+                                                            __
+       +--------------------------------------------------+   |
+       |   +------------------------------------------+   |   |
+       |   |                                          |   |   |
+       |   |                 VNF                      |   |   |
+       |   |                                          |   |   |
+       |   +------------------------------------------+   |   |
+       |   |          Passthrough/SR-IOV              |   |  Host
+       |   +------------------------------------------+   |   |
+       |   |                 NIC                      |   |   |
+       +---+------------------------------------------+---+ __|
+                  ^                           :
+                  |                           |
+                  :                           v
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+       |                                                  |
+       |                traffic generator                 |
+       |                                                  |
+       +--------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+Methodology to benchmark Platform/VNF forwarding capability
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+
+The recommended methodology for the platform/VNF validation and
+benchmark is: - Run `RFC2889 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2289.txt>`__
+Maximum Forwarding Rate test, this test will produce maximum
+forwarding rate and latency results that will serve as the
+expected values. These expected values can be used in
+subsequent steps or compared with in subsequent validation tests. -
+Transmit bidirectional traffic at line rate/max forwarding rate
+(whichever is higher) for at least 72 hours, measure throughput (fps)
+and latency. - Note: Traffic should be bidirectional. - Establish a
+baseline forwarding rate for what the platform can achieve. - Additional
+validation: After the test has completed for 72 hours run bidirectional
+traffic at the maximum forwarding rate once more to see if the system is
+still functional and measure throughput (fps) and latency. Compare the
+measure the new obtained values with the expected values.
+
+**NOTE 1**: How the Platform is configured for its forwarding capability
+test (BIOS settings, GRUB configuration, runlevel...) is how the
+platform should be configured for every test after this
+
+**NOTE 2**: How the VNF is configured for its forwarding capability test
+(# of vCPUs, vNICs, Memory, affinitization…) is how it should be
+configured for every test that uses a VNF after this.
+
+2.2.4 RFCs for testing virtual switch performance
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+The starting point for defining the suite of tests for benchmarking the
+performance of a virtual switch is to take existing RFCs and standards
+that were designed to test their physical counterparts and adapting them
+for testing virtual switches. The rationale behind this is to establish
+a fair comparison between the performance of virtual and physical
+switches. This section outlines the RFCs that are used by this
+specification.
+
+RFC 1242 Benchmarking Terminology for Network Interconnection
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+Devices RFC 1242 defines the terminology that is used in describing
+performance benchmarking tests and their results. Definitions and
+discussions covered include: Back-to-back, bridge, bridge/router,
+constant load, data link frame size, frame loss rate, inter frame gap,
+latency, and many more.
+
+RFC 2544 Benchmarking Methodology for Network Interconnect Devices
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 2544 outlines a benchmarking methodology for network Interconnect
+Devices. The methodology results in performance metrics such as latency,
+frame loss percentage, and maximum data throughput.
+
+In this document network “throughput” (measured in millions of frames
+per second) is based on RFC 2544, unless otherwise noted. Frame size
+refers to Ethernet frames ranging from smallest frames of 64 bytes to
+largest frames of 4K bytes.
+
+Types of tests are:
+
+1. Throughput test defines the maximum number of frames per second
+   that can be transmitted without any error.
+
+2. Latency test measures the time required for a frame to travel from
+   the originating device through the network to the destination device.
+   Please note that RFC2544 Latency measurement will be superseded with
+   a measurement of average latency over all successfully transferred
+   packets or frames.
+
+3. Frame loss test measures the network’s
+   response in overload conditions - a critical indicator of the
+   network’s ability to support real-time applications in which a
+   large amount of frame loss will rapidly degrade service quality.
+
+4. Burst test assesses the buffering capability of a virtual switch. It
+   measures the maximum number of frames received at full line rate
+   before a frame is lost. In carrier Ethernet networks, this
+   measurement validates the excess information rate (EIR) as defined in
+   many SLAs.
+
+5. System recovery to characterize speed of recovery from an overload
+   condition.
+
+6. Reset to characterize speed of recovery from device or software
+   reset. This type of test has been updated by `RFC6201 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6201.txt>`__ as such,
+   the methodology defined by this specification will be that of RFC 6201.
+
+Although not included in the defined RFC 2544 standard, another crucial
+measurement in Ethernet networking is packet delay variation. The
+definition set out by this specification comes from
+`RFC5481 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__.
+
+RFC 2285 Benchmarking Terminology for LAN Switching Devices
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 2285 defines the terminology that is used to describe the
+terminology for benchmarking a LAN switching device. It extends RFC
+1242 and defines: DUTs, SUTs, Traffic orientation and distribution,
+bursts, loads, forwarding rates, etc.
+
+RFC 2889 Benchmarking Methodology for LAN Switching
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 2889 outlines a benchmarking methodology for LAN switching, it
+extends RFC 2544. The outlined methodology gathers performance
+metrics for forwarding, congestion control, latency, address handling
+and finally filtering.
+
+RFC 3918 Methodology for IP Multicast Benchmarking
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 3918 outlines a methodology for IP Multicast benchmarking.
+
+RFC 4737 Packet Reordering Metrics
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 4737 describes metrics for identifying and counting re-ordered
+packets within a stream, and metrics to measure the extent each
+packet has been re-ordered.
+
+RFC 5481 Packet Delay Variation Applicability Statement
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 5481 defined two common, but different forms of delay variation
+metrics, and compares the metrics over a range of networking
+circumstances and tasks. The most suitable form for vSwitch
+benchmarking is the "PDV" form.
+
+RFC 6201 Device Reset Characterization
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+RFC 6201 extends the methodology for characterizing the speed of
+recovery of the DUT from device or software reset described in RFC
+2544.
+
+2.2.5 Details of the Test Report
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+There are a number of parameters related to the system, DUT and tests
+that can affect the repeatability of a test results and should be
+recorded. In order to minimise the variation in the results of a test,
+it is recommended that the test report includes the following information:
+
+-  Hardware details including:
+
+   -  Platform details.
+   -  Processor details.
+   -  Memory information (see below)
+   -  Number of enabled cores.
+   -  Number of cores used for the test.
+   -  Number of physical NICs, as well as their details (manufacturer,
+      versions, type and the PCI slot they are plugged into).
+   -  NIC interrupt configuration.
+   -  BIOS version, release date and any configurations that were
+      modified.
+
+-  Software details including:
+
+   -  OS version (for host and VNF)
+   -  Kernel version (for host and VNF)
+   -  GRUB boot parameters (for host and VNF).
+   -  Hypervisor details (Type and version).
+   -  Selected vSwitch, version number or commit id used.
+   -  vSwitch launch command line if it has been parameterised.
+   -  Memory allocation to the vSwitch – which NUMA node it is using,
+      and how many memory channels.
+   -  Where the vswitch is built from source: compiler details including
+      versions and the flags that were used to compile the vSwitch.
+   -  DPDK or any other SW dependency version number or commit id used.
+   -  Memory allocation to a VM - if it's from Hugpages/elsewhere.
+   -  VM storage type: snapshot/independent persistent/independent
+      non-persistent.
+   -  Number of VMs.
+   -  Number of Virtual NICs (vNICs), versions, type and driver.
+   -  Number of virtual CPUs and their core affinity on the host.
+   -  Number vNIC interrupt configuration.
+   -  Thread affinitization for the applications (including the vSwitch
+      itself) on the host.
+   -  Details of Resource isolation, such as CPUs designated for
+      Host/Kernel (isolcpu) and CPUs designated for specific processes
+      (taskset).
+
+-  Memory Details
+
+   -  Total memory
+   -  Type of memory
+   -  Used memory
+   -  Active memory
+   -  Inactive memory
+   -  Free memory
+   -  Buffer memory
+   -  Swap cache
+   -  Total swap
+   -  Used swap
+   -  Free swap
+
+-  Test duration.
+-  Number of flows.
+-  Traffic Information:
+
+   -  Traffic type - UDP, TCP, IMIX / Other.
+   -  Packet Sizes.
+
+-  Deployment Scenario.
+
+**Note**: Tests that require additional parameters to be recorded will
+explicitly specify this.
+
+2.3. Test identification
+------------------------
+2.3.1 Throughput tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The following tests aim to determine the maximum forwarding rate that
+can be achieved with a virtual switch. The list is not exhaustive but
+should indicate the type of tests that should be required. It is
+expected that more will be added.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 X% packet loss ratio Throughput and Latency Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    This test determines the DUT's maximum forwarding rate with X% traffic
+    loss for a constant load (fixed length frames at a fixed interval time).
+    The default loss percentages to be tested are: - X = 0% - X = 10^-7%
+
+    Note: Other values can be tested if required by the user.
+
+    The selected frame sizes are those previously defined under `Default
+    Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__. The test can also be used to
+    determine the average latency of the traffic.
+
+    Under the `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__
+    test methodology, the test duration will
+    include a number of trials; each trial should run for a minimum period
+    of 60 seconds. A binary search methodology must be applied for each
+    trial to obtain the final result.
+
+    **Expected Result**: At the end of each trial, the presence or absence
+    of loss determines the modification of offered load for the next trial,
+    converging on a maximum rate, or
+    `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__ Throughput with X% loss.
+    The Throughput load is re-used in related
+    `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__ tests and other
+    tests.
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The maximum forwarding rate in Frames Per Second (FPS) and Mbps of
+       the DUT for each frame size with X% packet loss.
+    -  The average latency of the traffic flow when passing through the DUT
+       (if testing for latency, note that this average is different from the
+       test specified in Section 26.3 of
+       `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__).
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatioFrameModification
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 X% packet loss Throughput and Latency Test with
+    packet modification
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    This test determines the DUT's maximum forwarding rate with X% traffic
+    loss for a constant load (fixed length frames at a fixed interval time).
+    The default loss percentages to be tested are: - X = 0% - X = 10^-7%
+
+    Note: Other values can be tested if required by the user.
+
+    The selected frame sizes are those previously defined under `Default
+    Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__. The test can also be used to
+    determine the average latency of the traffic.
+
+    Under the `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__
+    test methodology, the test duration will
+    include a number of trials; each trial should run for a minimum period
+    of 60 seconds. A binary search methodology must be applied for each
+    trial to obtain the final result.
+
+    During this test, the DUT must perform the following operations on the
+    traffic flow:
+
+    -  Perform packet parsing on the DUT's ingress port.
+    -  Perform any relevant address look-ups on the DUT's ingress ports.
+    -  Modify the packet header before forwarding the packet to the DUT's
+       egress port. Packet modifications include:
+
+       -  Modifying the Ethernet source or destination MAC address.
+       -  Modifying/adding a VLAN tag. (**Recommended**).
+       -  Modifying/adding a MPLS tag.
+       -  Modifying the source or destination ip address.
+       -  Modifying the TOS/DSCP field.
+       -  Modifying the source or destination ports for UDP/TCP/SCTP.
+       -  Modifying the TTL.
+
+    **Expected Result**: The Packet parsing/modifications require some
+    additional degree of processing resource, therefore the
+    `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__
+    Throughput is expected to be somewhat lower than the Throughput level
+    measured without additional steps. The reduction is expected to be
+    greatest on tests with the smallest packet sizes (greatest header
+    processing rates).
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The maximum forwarding rate in Frames Per Second (FPS) and Mbps of
+       the DUT for each frame size with X% packet loss and packet
+       modification operations being performed by the DUT.
+    -  The average latency of the traffic flow when passing through the DUT
+       (if testing for latency, note that this average is different from the
+       test specified in Section 26.3 of
+       `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__).
+    -  The `RFC5481 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__
+       PDV form of delay variation on the traffic flow,
+       using the 99th percentile.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.Profile
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 Throughput and Latency Profile
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    This test reveals how throughput and latency degrades as the offered
+    rate varies in the region of the DUT's maximum forwarding rate as
+    determined by LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio (0% Packet Loss).
+    For example it can be used to determine if the degradation of throughput
+    and latency as the offered rate increases is slow and graceful or sudden
+    and severe.
+
+    The selected frame sizes are those previously defined under `Default
+    Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__.
+
+    The offered traffic rate is described as a percentage delta with respect
+    to the DUT's RFC 2544 Throughput as determined by
+    LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLoss Ratio (0% Packet Loss case). A delta
+    of 0% is equivalent to an offered traffic rate equal to the RFC 2544
+    Throughput; A delta of +50% indicates an offered rate half-way
+    between the Throughput and line-rate, whereas a delta of
+    -50% indicates an offered rate of half the maximum rate. Therefore the
+    range of the delta figure is natuarlly bounded at -100% (zero offered
+    traffic) and +100% (traffic offered at line rate).
+
+    The following deltas to the maximum forwarding rate should be applied:
+
+    -  -50%, -10%, 0%, +10% & +50%
+
+    **Expected Result**: For each packet size a profile should be produced
+    of how throughput and latency vary with offered rate.
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The forwarding rate in Frames Per Second (FPS) and Mbps of the DUT
+       for each delta to the maximum forwarding rate and for each frame
+       size.
+    -  The average latency for each delta to the maximum forwarding rate and
+       for each frame size.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+    -  Any failures experienced (for example if the vSwitch crashes, stops
+       processing packets, restarts or becomes unresponsive to commands)
+       when the offered load is above Maximum Throughput MUST be recorded
+       and reported with the results.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.SystemRecoveryTime
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 System Recovery Time Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test** LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to determine the length of time it takes the DUT
+    to recover from an overload condition for a constant load (fixed length
+    frames at a fixed interval time). The selected frame sizes are those
+    previously defined under `Default Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__,
+    traffic should be sent to the DUT under normal conditions. During the
+    duration of the test and while the traffic flows are passing though the
+    DUT, at least one situation leading to an overload condition for the DUT
+    should occur. The time from the end of the overload condition to when
+    the DUT returns to normal operations should be measured to determine
+    recovery time. Prior to overloading the DUT, one should record the
+    average latency for 10,000 packets forwarded through the DUT.
+
+    The overload condition SHOULD be to transmit traffic at a very high
+    frame rate to the DUT (150% of the maximum 0% packet loss rate as
+    determined by LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio or line-rate
+    whichever is lower), for at least 60 seconds, then reduce the frame rate
+    to 75% of the maximum 0% packet loss rate. A number of time-stamps
+    should be recorded: - Record the time-stamp at which the frame rate was
+    reduced and record a second time-stamp at the time of the last frame
+    lost. The recovery time is the difference between the two timestamps. -
+    Record the average latency for 10,000 frames after the last frame loss
+    and continue to record average latency measurements for every 10,000
+    frames, when latency returns to within 10% of pre-overload levels record
+    the time-stamp.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics collected**
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The length of time it takes the DUT to recover from an overload
+       condition.
+    -  The length of time it takes the DUT to recover the average latency to
+       pre-overload conditions.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.BackToBackFrames
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2544 Back To Back Frames Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to characterize the ability of the DUT to
+    process back-to-back frames. For each frame size previously defined
+    under `Default Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__, a burst of traffic
+    is sent to the DUT with the minimum inter-frame gap between each frame.
+    If the number of received frames equals the number of frames that were
+    transmitted, the burst size should be increased and traffic is sent to
+    the DUT again. The value measured is the back-to-back value, that is the
+    maximum burst size the DUT can handle without any frame loss.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    Tests of back-to-back frames with physical devices have produced
+    unstable results in some cases. All tests should be repeated in multiple
+    test sessions and results stability should be examined.
+
+    **Metrics collected**
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The back-to-back value, which is the the number of frames in the
+       longest burst that the DUT will handle without the loss of any
+       frames.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRateSoak
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2889 X% packet loss Max Forwarding Rate Soak Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test** LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand the Max Forwarding Rate stability
+    over an extended test duration in order to uncover any outliers. To allow
+    for an extended test duration, the test should ideally run for 24 hours
+    or, if this is not possible, for at least 6 hours. For this test, each frame
+    size must be sent at the highest Throughput rate with X% packet loss, as
+    determined in the prerequisite test. The default loss percentages to be
+    tested are: - X = 0% - X = 10^-7%
+
+    Note: Other values can be tested if required by the user.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  Max Forwarding Rate stability of the DUT.
+
+       -  This means reporting the number of packets lost per time interval
+          and reporting any time intervals with packet loss. The
+          `RFC2889 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2289.txt>`__
+          Forwarding Rate shall be measured in each interval.
+          An interval of 60s is suggested.
+
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+    -  The `RFC5481 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__
+       PDV form of delay variation on the traffic flow,
+       using the 99th percentile.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRateSoakFrameModification
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2889 Max Forwarding Rate Soak Test with Frame Modification
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatioFrameModification (0% Packet Loss)
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand the Max Forwarding Rate stability over an
+    extended test duration in order to uncover any outliers. To allow for an
+    extended test duration, the test should ideally run for 24 hours or, if
+    this is not possible, for at least 6 hour. For this test, each frame
+    size must be sent at the highest Throughput rate with 0% packet loss, as
+    determined in the prerequisite test.
+
+    During this test, the DUT must perform the following operations on the
+    traffic flow:
+
+    -  Perform packet parsing on the DUT's ingress port.
+    -  Perform any relevant address look-ups on the DUT's ingress ports.
+    -  Modify the packet header before forwarding the packet to the DUT's
+       egress port. Packet modifications include:
+
+       -  Modifying the Ethernet source or destination MAC address.
+       -  Modifying/adding a VLAN tag (**Recommended**).
+       -  Modifying/adding a MPLS tag.
+       -  Modifying the source or destination ip address.
+       -  Modifying the TOS/DSCP field.
+       -  Modifying the source or destination ports for UDP/TCP/SCTP.
+       -  Modifying the TTL.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  Max Forwarding Rate stability of the DUT.
+
+       -  This means reporting the number of packets lost per time interval
+          and reporting any time intervals with packet loss. The
+          `RFC2889 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2289.txt>`__
+          Forwarding Rate shall be measured in each interval.
+          An interval of 60s is suggested.
+
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+    -  The `RFC5481 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__ PDV form of delay variation on the traffic flow,
+       using the 99th percentile.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC6201.ResetTime
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 6201 Reset Time Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to determine the length of time it takes the DUT
+    to recover from a reset.
+
+    Two reset methods are defined - planned and unplanned. A planned reset
+    requires stopping and restarting the virtual switch by the usual
+    'graceful' method defined by it's documentation. An unplanned reset
+    requires simulating a fatal internal fault in the virtual switch - for
+    example by using kill -SIGKILL on a Linux environment.
+
+    Both reset methods SHOULD be exercised.
+
+    For each frame size previously defined under `Default Test
+    Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__, traffic should be sent to the DUT under
+    normal conditions. During the duration of the test and while the traffic
+    flows are passing through the DUT, the DUT should be reset and the Reset
+    time measured. The Reset time is the total time that a device is
+    determined to be out of operation and includes the time to perform the
+    reset and the time to recover from it (cf. `RFC6201 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6201.txt>`__).
+
+    `RFC6201 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6201.txt>`__ defines two methods to measure the Reset time:
+      - Frame-Loss Method: which requires the monitoring of the number of
+        lost frames and calculates the Reset time based on the number of
+        frames lost and the offered rate according to the following
+        formula:
+
+        .. code-block:: console
+
+                                    Frames_lost (packets)
+                 Reset_time = -------------------------------------
+                                Offered_rate (packets per second)
+
+      - Timestamp Method: which measures the time from which the last frame
+        is forwarded from the DUT to the time the first frame is forwarded
+        after the reset. This involves time-stamping all transmitted frames
+        and recording the timestamp of the last frame that was received prior
+        to the reset and also measuring the timestamp of the first frame that
+        is received after the reset. The Reset time is the difference between
+        these two timestamps.
+
+    According to `RFC6201 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6201.txt>`__ the choice of method depends on the test
+    tool's capability; the Frame-Loss method SHOULD be used if the test tool
+    supports: - Counting the number of lost frames per stream. -
+    Transmitting test frame despite the physical link status.
+
+    whereas the Timestamp method SHOULD be used if the test tool supports: -
+    Timestamping each frame. - Monitoring received frame's timestamp. -
+    Transmitting frames only if the physical link status is up.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics collected**
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test: - Average Reset
+    Time over the number of trials performed.
+
+    Results of this test should include the following information: - The
+    reset method used. - Throughput in Fps and Mbps. - Average Frame Loss
+    over the number of trials performed. - Average Reset Time in
+    milliseconds over the number of trials performed. - Number of trials
+    performed. - Protocol: IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc. - Frame Size in Octets -
+    Port Media: Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), etc. - Port Speed: 10
+    Gbps, 40 Gbps etc. - Interface Encapsulation: Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
+    etc.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRate
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Forwarding Rate Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    This test measures the DUT's Max Forwarding Rate when the Offered Load
+    is varied between the throughput and the Maximum Offered Load for fixed
+    length frames at a fixed time interval. The selected frame sizes are
+    those previously defined under `Default Test
+    Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__. The throughput is the maximum offered
+    load with 0% frame loss (measured by the prerequisite test), and the
+    Maximum Offered Load (as defined by
+    `RFC2285 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2285.txt>`__) is *"the highest
+    number of frames per second that an external source can transmit to a
+    DUT/SUT for forwarding to a specified output interface or interfaces"*.
+
+    Traffic should be sent to the DUT at a particular rate (TX rate)
+    starting with TX rate equal to the throughput rate. The rate of
+    successfully received frames at the destination counted (in FPS). If the
+    RX rate is equal to the TX rate, the TX rate should be increased by a
+    fixed step size and the RX rate measured again until the Max Forwarding
+    Rate is found.
+
+    The trial duration for each iteration should last for the period of time
+    needed for the system to reach steady state for the frame size being
+    tested. Under `RFC2889 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2289.txt>`__
+    (Sec. 5.6.3.1) test methodology, the test
+    duration should run for a minimum period of 30 seconds, regardless
+    whether the system reaches steady state before the minimum duration
+    ends.
+
+    **Expected Result**: According to
+    `RFC2889 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2289.txt>`__ The Max Forwarding Rate
+    is the highest forwarding rate of a DUT taken from an iterative set of
+    forwarding rate measurements. The iterative set of forwarding rate
+    measurements are made by setting the intended load transmitted from an
+    external source and measuring the offered load (i.e what the DUT is
+    capable of forwarding). If the Throughput == the Maximum Offered Load,
+    it follows that Max Forwarding Rate is equal to the Maximum Offered
+    Load.
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The Max Forwarding Rate for the DUT for each packet size.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical. Note: Full mesh tests with
+       multiple ingress and egress ports are a key aspect of RFC 2889
+       benchmarks, and scenarios with both 2 and 4 ports should be tested.
+       In any case, the number of ports used must be reported.
+
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.ForwardPressure
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Forward Pressure Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRate
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to determine if the DUT transmits frames with an
+    inter-frame gap that is less than 12 bytes. This test overloads the DUT
+    and measures the output for forward pressure. Traffic should be
+    transmitted to the DUT with an inter-frame gap of 11 bytes, this will
+    overload the DUT by 1 byte per frame. The forwarding rate of the DUT
+    should be measured.
+
+    **Expected Result**: The forwarding rate should not exceed the maximum
+    forwarding rate of the DUT collected by
+    LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRate.
+
+    **Metrics collected**
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  Forwarding rate of the DUT in FPS or Mbps.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.ErrorFramesFiltering
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Error Frames Filtering Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to determine whether the DUT will propagate any
+    erroneous frames it receives or whether it is capable of filtering out
+    the erroneous frames. Traffic should be sent with erroneous frames
+    included within the flow at random intervals. Illegal frames that must
+    be tested include: - Oversize Frames. - Undersize Frames. - CRC Errored
+    Frames. - Dribble Bit Errored Frames - Alignment Errored Frames
+
+    The traffic flow exiting the DUT should be recorded and checked to
+    determine if the erroneous frames where passed through the DUT.
+
+    **Expected Result**: Broken frames are not passed!
+
+    **Metrics collected**
+
+    No Metrics are collected in this test, instead it determines:
+
+    -  Whether the DUT will propagate erroneous frames.
+    -  Or whether the DUT will correctly filter out any erroneous frames
+       from traffic flow with out removing correct frames.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.BroadcastFrameForwarding
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Broadcast Frame Forwarding Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to determine the maximum forwarding rate of the
+    DUT when forwarding broadcast traffic. For each frame previously defined
+    under `Default Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__, the traffic should
+    be set up as broadcast traffic. The traffic throughput of the DUT should
+    be measured.
+
+    The test should be conducted with at least 4 physical ports on the DUT.
+    The number of ports used MUST be recorded.
+
+    As broadcast involves forwarding a single incoming packet to several
+    destinations, the latency of a single packet is defined as the average
+    of the latencies for each of the broadcast destinations.
+
+    The incoming packet is transmitted on each of the other physical ports,
+    it is not transmitted on the port on which it was received. The test MAY
+    be conducted using different broadcasting ports to uncover any
+    performance differences.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The forwarding rate of the DUT when forwarding broadcast traffic.
+    -  The minimum, average & maximum packets latencies observed.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch 3x physical. In the Broadcast rate testing,
+    four test ports are required. One of the ports is connected to the test
+    device, so it can send broadcast frames and listen for miss-routed frames.
+
+2.3.2 Packet Latency tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+These tests will measure the store and forward latency as well as the packet
+delay variation for various packet types through the virtual switch. The
+following list is not exhaustive but should indicate the type of tests
+that should be required. It is expected that more will be added.
+
+Test ID: LTD.PacketLatency.InitialPacketProcessingLatency
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: Initial Packet Processing Latency
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    In some virtual switch architectures, the first packets of a flow will
+    take the system longer to process than subsequent packets in the flow.
+    This test determines the latency for these packets. The test will
+    measure the latency of the packets as they are processed by the
+    flow-setup-path of the DUT. There are two methods for this test, a
+    recommended method and a nalternative method that can be used if it is
+    possible to disable the fastpath of the virtual switch.
+
+    Recommended method: This test will send 64,000 packets to the DUT, each
+    belonging to a different flow. Average packet latency will be determined
+    over the 64,000 packets.
+
+    Alternative method: This test will send a single packet to the DUT after
+    a fixed interval of time. The time interval will be equivalent to the
+    amount of time it takes for a flow to time out in the virtual switch
+    plus 10%. Average packet latency will be determined over 1,000,000
+    packets.
+
+    This test is intended only for non-learning virtual switches; For learning
+    virtual switches use RFC2889.
+
+    For this test, only unidirectional traffic is required.
+
+    **Expected Result**: The average latency for the initial packet of all
+    flows should be greater than the latency of subsequent traffic.
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  Average latency of the initial packets of all flows that are
+       processed by the DUT.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → Virtual Switch → Physical.
+
+Test ID: LTD.PacketDelayVariation.RFC3393.Soak
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: Packet Delay Variation Soak Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Tests**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio (0% Packet Loss)
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand the distribution of packet delay
+    variation for different frame sizes over an extended test duration and
+    to determine if there are any outliers. To allow for an extended test
+    duration, the test should ideally run for 24 hours or, if this is not
+    possible, for at least 6 hour. For this test, each frame size must be
+    sent at the highest possible throughput with 0% packet loss, as
+    determined in the prerequisite test.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The packet delay variation value for traffic passing through the DUT.
+    -  The `RFC5481 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5481.txt>`__
+       PDV form of delay variation on the traffic flow,
+       using the 99th percentile, for each 60s interval during the test.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+2.3.3 Scalability tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The general aim of these tests is to understand the impact of large flow
+table size and flow lookups on throughput. The following list is not
+exhaustive but should indicate the type of tests that should be required.
+It is expected that more will be added.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Scalability.RFC2544.0PacketLoss
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 0% loss Scalability throughput test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio, IF the
+    delta Throughput between the single-flow RFC2544 test and this test with
+    a variable number of flows is desired.
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to measure how throughput changes as the number
+    of flows in the DUT increases. The test will measure the throughput
+    through the fastpath, as such the flows need to be installed on the DUT
+    before passing traffic.
+
+    For each frame size previously defined under `Default Test
+    Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__ and for each of the following number of
+    flows:
+
+    -  1,000
+    -  2,000
+    -  4,000
+    -  8,000
+    -  16,000
+    -  32,000
+    -  64,000
+    -  Max supported number of flows.
+
+    This test will be conducted under two conditions following the
+    establishment of all flows as required by RFC 2544, regarding the flow
+    expiration time-out:
+
+    1) The time-out never expires during each trial.
+
+    2) The time-out expires for all flows periodically. This would require a
+    short time-out compared with flow re-appearance for a small number of
+    flows, and may not be possible for all flow conditions.
+
+    The maximum 0% packet loss Throughput should be determined in a manner
+    identical to LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The maximum number of frames per second that can be forwarded at the
+       specified number of flows and the specified frame size, with zero
+       packet loss.
+
+Test ID: LTD.MemoryBandwidth.RFC2544.0PacketLoss.Scalability
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 0% loss Memory Bandwidth Scalability test
+
+    **Prerequisite Tests**: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio, IF the
+    delta Throughput between an undisturbed RFC2544 test and this test with
+    the Throughput affected by cache and memory bandwidth contention is desired.
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand how the DUT's performance is
+    affected by cache sharing and memory bandwidth between processes.
+
+    During the test all cores not used by the vSwitch should be running a
+    memory intensive application. This application should read and write
+    random data to random addresses in unused physical memory. The random
+    nature of the data and addresses is intended to consume cache, exercise
+    main memory access (as opposed to cache) and exercise all memory buses
+    equally. Furthermore:
+
+    - the ratio of reads to writes should be recorded. A ratio of 1:1
+      SHOULD be used.
+    - the reads and writes MUST be of cache-line size and be cache-line aligned.
+    - in NUMA architectures memory access SHOULD be local to the core's node.
+      Whether only local memory or a mix of local and remote memory is used
+      MUST be recorded.
+    - the memory bandwidth (reads plus writes) used per-core MUST be recorded;
+      the test MUST be run with a per-core memory bandwidth equal to half the
+      maximum system memory bandwidth divided by the number of cores. The test
+      MAY be run with other values for the per-core memory bandwidth.
+    - the test MAY also be run with the memory intensive application running
+      on all cores.
+
+    Under these conditions the DUT's 0% packet loss throughput is determined
+    as per LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The DUT's 0% packet loss throughput in the presence of cache sharing and memory bandwidth between processes.
+
+2.3.4 Activation tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The general aim of these tests is to understand the capacity of the
+and speed with which the vswitch can accomodate new flows.
+
+Test ID: LTD.Activation.RFC2889.AddressCachingCapacity
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Address Caching Capacity Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: N/A
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    Please note this test is only applicable to virtual switches that are capable of
+    MAC learning. The aim of this test is to determine the address caching
+    capacity of the DUT for a constant load (fixed length frames at a fixed
+    interval time). The selected frame sizes are those previously defined
+    under `Default Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__.
+
+    In order to run this test the aging time, that is the maximum time the
+    DUT will keep a learned address in its flow table, and a set of initial
+    addresses, whose value should be >= 1 and <= the max number supported by
+    the implementation must be known. Please note that if the aging time is
+    configurable it must be longer than the time necessary to produce frames
+    from the external source at the specified rate. If the aging time is
+    fixed the frame rate must be brought down to a value that the external
+    source can produce in a time that is less than the aging time.
+
+    Learning Frames should be sent from an external source to the DUT to
+    install a number of flows. The Learning Frames must have a fixed
+    destination address and must vary the source address of the frames. The
+    DUT should install flows in its flow table based on the varying source
+    addresses. Frames should then be transmitted from an external source at
+    a suitable frame rate to see if the DUT has properly learned all of the
+    addresses. If there is no frame loss and no flooding, the number of
+    addresses sent to the DUT should be increased and the test is repeated
+    until the max number of cached addresses supported by the DUT
+    determined.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  Number of cached addresses supported by the DUT.
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → 2 x physical (one receiving, one listening).
+
+Test ID: LTD.Activation.RFC2889.AddressLearningRate
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC2889 Address Learning Rate Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Memory.RFC2889.AddressCachingCapacity
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    Please note this test is only applicable to virtual switches that are capable of
+    MAC learning. The aim of this test is to determine the rate of address
+    learning of the DUT for a constant load (fixed length frames at a fixed
+    interval time). The selected frame sizes are those previously defined
+    under `Default Test Parameters <#DefaultParams>`__, traffic should be
+    sent with each IPv4/IPv6 address incremented by one. The rate at which
+    the DUT learns a new address should be measured. The maximum caching
+    capacity from LTD.Memory.RFC2889.AddressCachingCapacity should be taken
+    into consideration as the maximum number of addresses for which the
+    learning rate can be obtained.
+
+    **Expected Result**: It may be worthwhile to report the behaviour when
+    operating beyond address capacity - some DUTs may be more friendly to
+    new addresses than others.
+
+    **Metrics collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The address learning rate of the DUT.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → 2 x physical (one receiving, one listening).
+
+
+2.3.5 Coupling between control path and datapath Tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The following tests aim to determine how tightly coupled the datapath
+and the control path are within a virtual switch. The following list
+is not exhaustive but should indicate the type of tests that should be
+required. It is expected that more will be added.
+
+Test ID: LTD.CPDPCouplingFlowAddition
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: Control Path and Datapath Coupling
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**:
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand how exercising the DUT's control
+    path affects datapath performance.
+
+    Initially a certain number of flow table entries are installed in the
+    vSwitch. Then over the duration of an RFC2544 throughput test
+    flow-entries are added and removed at the rates specified below. No
+    traffic is 'hitting' these flow-entries, they are simply added and
+    removed.
+
+    The test MUST be repeated with the following initial number of
+    flow-entries installed: - < 10 - 1000 - 100,000 - 10,000,000 (or the
+    maximum supported number of flow-entries)
+
+    The test MUST be repeated with the following rates of flow-entry
+    addition and deletion per second: - 0 - 1 (i.e. 1 addition plus 1
+    deletion) - 100 - 10,000
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  The maximum forwarding rate in Frames Per Second (FPS) and Mbps of
+       the DUT.
+    -  The average latency of the traffic flow when passing through the DUT
+       (if testing for latency, note that this average is different from the
+       test specified in Section 26.3 of
+       `RFC2544 <https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2544.txt>`__).
+    -  CPU and memory utilization may also be collected as part of this
+       test, to determine the vSwitch's performance footprint on the system.
+
+    **Deployment scenario**:
+
+    -  Physical → virtual switch → physical.
+
+2.3.6 CPU and memory consumption
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+The following tests will profile a virtual switch's CPU and memory
+utilization under various loads and circumstances. The following
+list is not exhaustive but should indicate the type of tests that
+should be required. It is expected that more will be added.
+
+Test ID: LTD.CPU.RFC2544.0PacketLoss
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+    **Title**: RFC 2544 0% Loss Compute Test
+
+    **Prerequisite Test**:
+
+    **Priority**:
+
+    **Description**:
+
+    The aim of this test is to understand the overall performance of the
+    system when a CPU intensive application is run on the same DUT as the
+    Virtual Switch. For each frame size, an
+    LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio (0% Packet Loss) test should be
+    performed. Throughout the entire test a CPU intensive application should
+    be run on all cores on the system not in use by the Virtual Switch. For
+    NUMA system only cores on the same NUMA node are loaded.
+
+    It is recommended that stress-ng be used for loading the non-Virtual
+    Switch cores but any stress tool MAY be used.
+
+    **Expected Result**:
+
+    **Metrics Collected**:
+
+    The following are the metrics collected for this test:
+
+    -  CPU utilization of the cores running the Virtual Switch.
+    -  The number of identity of the cores allocated to the Virtual Switch.
+    -  The configuration of the stress tool (for example the command line
+       parameters used to start it.)
+
+2.3.7 Summary List of Tests
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+1. Throughput tests
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatioFrameModification
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.Profile
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.SystemRecoveryTime
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.BackToBackFrames
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.Soak
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.SoakFrameModification
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC6201.ResetTime
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.MaxForwardingRate
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.ForwardPressure
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.ErrorFramesFiltering
+  - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.BroadcastFrameForwarding
+
+2. Packet Latency tests
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.PacketLatency.InitialPacketProcessingLatency
+  - Test ID: LTD.PacketDelayVariation.RFC3393.Soak
+
+3. Scalability tests
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.Scalability.RFC2544.0PacketLoss
+  - Test ID: LTD.MemoryBandwidth.RFC2544.0PacketLoss.Scalability
+
+4. Acivation tests
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.Activation.RFC2889.AddressCachingCapacity
+  - Test ID: LTD.Activation.RFC2889.AddressLearningRate
+
+5. Coupling between control path and datapath Tests
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.CPDPCouplingFlowAddition
+
+6. CPU and memory consumption
+
+  - Test ID: LTD.CPU.RFC2544.0PacketLoss