Tags for high performance active networks

Abstract

We propose the use of "selectors for (active) packet flows" similar to tags employed in the IP world. Their impact on the performance of an active network node is significant, as active packets have to be demultiplexed not only to the network layer, but all the way to an application level execution environment. We have built an Active Network Node that implements the selector based Simple Active Packet Format (SAPF). Our measurements show that SAPF packets can be processed 30% faster than regular IP packets that use the traditional Active Network Encapsulation Protocol (ANEP) header.