REoN: A protocol for reliable software-defined FPGA partial reconfiguration over network

Abstract

This paper presents and defines a Reconfiguration over Network (REoN) protocol. It is a solution for a FPGA-based dynamically reconfigurable system, that offers partial (re)programming over the network without the need of a local/embedded soft/hard processor. This protocol can transport partial bit files from centralized control and management system via network resource management API to a FPGA empowered network node, using standard 10 Gbps Ethernet. This work architects and introduces a proprietary lightweight connection oriented protocol stack, which guarantees reliability over standard UDP/IP protocol. Hardware stack for standard networking protocols including remote reconfiguration engine directly interfaced with Xilinx Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP). This minimizes FPGA resource requirements in re-programming the FPGA. The presented work is an enabling technology for a range of applications such as reconfigurable computing enabled Network Function Virtualization (NFV), function dis aggregation on data centres empowered by FPGA/SoCs, as well as Internet of Things (IoT).