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diff --git a/docs/vswitchperf_ltd.rst b/docs/vswitchperf_ltd.rst new file mode 100644 index 00000000..7eaba009 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/vswitchperf_ltd.rst @@ -0,0 +1,1931 @@ +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>`__. +- **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 switch. +- **Request/Response Performance** Tests (TCP, UDP) the measure the + transaction rate through the 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 + + + +--------------------------------------------+ +------------------------------------------+ + | +---------------------------------+ | | +--------------------------------+ | + | | Application | | | | Application | | + | +----------------------------+----+ | | +-------------------------+------+ | + | ^ | | | ^ | | + | | v | | | v | + | +------------------+ +------------------+ | | +------------------+ +----------------+ | + | | Logical port 0 | | Logical port 1 | | | | Logical port 0 | | Logical port 1 | | + +-+------------------+--+------------------+-+ +-+------------------+--+----------------+-+ + ^ | ^ | + | | | | + | v | v + +-+------------------+--+------------------+-+ +-+------------------+--+----------------+-+ + | | Logical port 0 | | Logical port 1 | | | | Logical port 0 | | Logical port 1 | | + | +------------------+ +------------------+ | | +------------------+ +----------------+ | + | ^ | | | ^ | | + | | | | | | | | + | | vswitch v | | | vswitch v | + | +--------+---------+ +------------------+ | | +------------------+ +----------------+ | + | | phy port | | phy port | | | | phy port | | phy port | | + +-+------------------+--+------------------+-+ +-+------------------+--+----------------+-+ + ^ | ^ | + | | | | + | ------------------------ 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. + +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). +- 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 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 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 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 maximum forwarding rate 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 maximum + forwarding rate; A delta of +50% indicates an offered rate half-way + between the maximum forwarding rate 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.Soak +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + **Title**: RFC 2889 X% packet loss Throughput Soak Test + + **Prerequisite Test** LTD.Throughput.RFC2544.PacketLossRatio + + **Priority**: + + **Description**: + + The aim of this test is to understand the Throughput 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 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: + + - Throughput 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.SoakFrameModification +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + **Title**: RFC 2889 Throughput 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 throughput 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 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: + + - Throughput 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. + +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.AddressCachingCapacity +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + **Title**: RFC2889 Address Caching Capacity Test + + **Prerequisite Test**: N/A + + **Priority**: + + **Description**: + + Please note this test is only applicable to 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 → physical. + +Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.AddressLearningRate +^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ + **Title**: RFC2889 Address Learning Rate Test + + **Prerequisite Test**: LTD.Memory.RFC2889.AddressCachingCapacity + + **Priority**: + + **Description**: + + Please note this test is only applicable to 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 → 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. + +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 switches; For learning + 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**: + + **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. + + 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**: + + **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. + +2.3.5 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. + +2.3.4 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.) + +2.3.9 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.AddressCachingCapacity + - Test ID: LTD.Throughput.RFC2889.AddressLearningRate + - 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. Coupling between control path and datapath Tests + + - Test ID: LTD.CPDPCouplingFlowAddition + +5. CPU and memory consumption + + - Test ID: LTD.CPU.RFC2544.0PacketLoss |