Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs

Udhaya Kumar Dayalan; Ziyan Wu; Gaurav Gautam; Feng Tian; Zhi Li Zhang

doi:10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475

Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs

Udhaya Kumar Dayalan, Ziyan Wu, Gaurav Gautam, Feng Tian, Zhi Li Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Starting with 5G, radio access networks (RANs) are moving towards an disaggregated architecture, with most of its functionality (except for the low-level PHY layer) implemented in software. While software affords the benefits of programmability and scale-out, it is also far slower than hardware. This is further compounded by the needs for more complex, dynamic and intelligent features in Next-Generation (NextG) RANs. In this work, we advocate an eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Fil-ter)+XDP (eXpress Data Path) based framework for scaling and accelerating software packet processing in (0- RAN compliant) NextG RANs. Using 5G Central Unit User Plane (CU-UP) as a key case study, we present an initial design of our proposed framework, dubbed PRANAVAM, and it's the key components. We also discuss additional options for further improvements. Our preliminary evaluation results shows that PRANAVAM improves the 5G CU-UP throughput by 22-26%, compared with the existing (open-source) 5G RAN implementation.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum
Subtitle of host publication	Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)	9798350324587
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475
State	Published - 2023
Event	6th IEEE Future Networks World Forum, FNWF 2023 - Baltimore, United States Duration: Nov 13 2023 → Nov 15 2023

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023

Conference

Conference	6th IEEE Future Networks World Forum, FNWF 2023
Country/Territory	United States
City	Baltimore
Period	11/13/23 → 11/15/23

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 IEEE.

Keywords

5G
5G Throughput
O-RAN Central Unit
RAN
XDP
eBPF

Publisher link

10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475

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Cite this

Dayalan, U. K., Wu, Z., Gautam, G., Tian, F., & Zhang, Z. L. (2023). Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs. In Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023 (Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475

Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs. / Dayalan, Udhaya Kumar; Wu, Ziyan; Gautam, Gaurav et al.
Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023. (Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Dayalan, UK, Wu, Z, Gautam, G, Tian, F & Zhang, ZL 2023, Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs. in Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023. Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 6th IEEE Future Networks World Forum, FNWF 2023, Baltimore, United States, 11/13/23. https://doi.org/10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475

Dayalan UK, Wu Z, Gautam G, Tian F, Zhang ZL. Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs. In Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2023. (Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023). doi: 10.1109/FNWF58287.2023.10520475

Dayalan, Udhaya Kumar ; Wu, Ziyan ; Gautam, Gaurav et al. / Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs. Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023. (Proceedings - 2023 IEEE Future Networks World Forum: Future Networks: Imagining the Network of the Future, FNWF 2023).

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AB - Starting with 5G, radio access networks (RANs) are moving towards an disaggregated architecture, with most of its functionality (except for the low-level PHY layer) implemented in software. While software affords the benefits of programmability and scale-out, it is also far slower than hardware. This is further compounded by the needs for more complex, dynamic and intelligent features in Next-Generation (NextG) RANs. In this work, we advocate an eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Fil-ter)+XDP (eXpress Data Path) based framework for scaling and accelerating software packet processing in (0- RAN compliant) NextG RANs. Using 5G Central Unit User Plane (CU-UP) as a key case study, we present an initial design of our proposed framework, dubbed PRANAVAM, and it's the key components. We also discuss additional options for further improvements. Our preliminary evaluation results shows that PRANAVAM improves the 5G CU-UP throughput by 22-26%, compared with the existing (open-source) 5G RAN implementation.

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Towards an eBPF+XDP Based Framework for Open, Programmable and Scalable NextG RANs

Abstract

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Bibliographical note

Keywords

Publisher link

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