Enhancing VNF's performance using DPDK driven OVS user-space forwarding

Abstract

Network function virtualization (NFV) is a concept aiming to achieve telecom grade cloud ecosystem for new generation networks focusing on Capital and Operational expenditure (CAPEX and OPEX) savings. Keeping at least the same performances is one of the main requirements of the applications when being virtualized. This work presents a performance impact of Open Virtual Switch (OVS) user-space forwarding on efficiency measured in CPU load vs. throughput for the Virtual Network Function (VNF) using small packets and SCTP transport — Ericsson virtual IP-Signalling Transfer Point (vIP-STP). The conducted research discusses the benefits of using Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) and significant performance improvements.