OpenFunction: Data Plane Abstraction for Software-Defined Middleboxes

TL;DR

OpenFunction introduces a new architecture for abstracting and centralizing middlebox functionalities in networks, complementing existing SDN and NFV technologies to enhance network programmability and hardware utilization.

Contribution

The paper proposes OpenFunction, a novel SDM architecture and abstraction layer that extends SDN and NFV capabilities to middleboxes, addressing limitations of current match-action abstractions.

Findings

OpenFunction enables centralized control of middleboxes.

It complements existing SDN and NFV technologies effectively.

Supports heterogeneous hardware platforms for network functions.

Abstract

The state-of-the-art OpenFlow technology only partially realized SDN vision of abstraction and centralization for packet forwarding in switches. OpenFlow/P4 falls short in implementing middlebox functionalities due to the fundamental limitation in its match-action abstraction. In this paper, we advocate the vision of Software-Defined Middleboxes (SDM) to realize abstraction and centralization for middleboxes. We further propose OpenFunction, an SDM reference architecture and a network function abstraction layer. Our SDM architecture and OpenFunction abstraction are complementary to existing SDN and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies. SDM complements SDN as SDM realizes abstraction and centralization for middleboxes, whereas SDN realizes those for switches. OpenFunction complements OpenFlow as OpenFunction addresses network functions whereas OpenFlow addresses packet forwarding. SDM also complements NFV in that SDM gives NFV the ability to use heterogenous hardware platforms with various hardware acceleration technologies.