TCPivo: a high-performance packet replay engine

Abstract

This paper describes the design and implementation of a high performance packet replay tool called TCPivo. TCPivo is implemented on commodity hardware using widely available open-source software and can be used as a cost-effective means for evaluating the performance of networking devices. To achieve high throughput and accuracy, TCPivo employs novel mechanisms for managing trace files and accurate lowoverhead timers. In addition, through the use of low-latency kernel patches and priority scheduling, TCPivo can be made highly resilient to background system load. Using these mechanisms, the tool is able to support packet replay at rates well above OC-3 on an x86-based server.