P4-based local-global integrated control for packet forwarding in wireless networks

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 60060:Information network-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Tsuru Masato 九州工業大学, 大学院情報工学研究院, 教授 (40231443)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: P4 / 中継ノード / 無線マルチホップネットワーク / ネットワーク管理・制御

Outline of Final Research Achievements

With expansion and diversification of the use of IoT networks, there is a need for integrated enhancement of processing at relay nodes in both the forwarding of user data and the exchanging of management and control information of the network.
This study considers the application of general-purpose P4 technology as a driving force to the enhanced relay nodes in IoT networks, and as examples, a reliable packet forwarding method for wireless multi-hop networks and an efficient exchanging method for network management and control information were newly designed and evaluated, and the performance of implementing new functions in inexpensive P4-based software relay nodes was also experimentally evaluated. Through these efforts, the feasibility and problems of upgrading wireless relay nodes using P4 technology were clarified.

Free Research Field

情報通信ネットワーク

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

IoTと呼ばれる社会インフラは、情報の収集・処理や情報に基づく自動動作を行なう装置を様々な場所や移動する物・人に付け、通信ネットワークで接続し、全体最適化のために連携させて様々なサービスを適応的に提供し、安全・安心でエネルギー効率のよい社会の実現を目指す。
IoTネットワークの信頼性や性能の向上には、利用者の通信データやネットワークの管理・制御のための情報を転送する中継ノードの高度な機能を柔軟かつ安価に追加・更新する必要があるため、本課題では、中継ノードの機能高度化にP4と呼ばれる最新の汎用技術を適用する際の実現可能性や問題点を明らかにし、IoT社会インフラの実現に寄与した。