A Roadmap for Enabling a Future-Proof In-Network Computing Data Plane Ecosystem

TL;DR

This paper proposes a high-level roadmap and guidelines to develop a resilient, adaptable in-network computing data plane ecosystem capable of supporting evolving applications and diverse technologies.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive roadmap and guidelines addressing ecosystem disconnects, facilitating future-proof development of in-network computing data planes.

Findings

Identifies ecosystem-level disconnects hindering data plane evolution

Proposes a high-level roadmap for future-proof data plane development

Highlights the need for systematic guidelines and runtime frameworks

Abstract

As the vision of in-network computing becomes more mature, we see two parallel evolutionary trends. First, we see the evolution of richer, more demanding applications that require capabilities beyond programmable switching ASICs. Second, we see the evolution of diverse data plane technologies with many other future capabilities on the horizon. While some point solutions exist to tackle the intersection of these trends, we see several ecosystem-level disconnects today; e.g., the need to refactor applications for new data planes, lack of systematic guidelines to inform the development of future data plane capabilities, and lack of holistic runtime frameworks for network operators. In this paper, we use a simple-yet-instructive emerging application-data plane combination to highlight these disconnects. Drawing on these lessons, we sketch a high-level roadmap and guidelines for the community to tackle these to create a more thriving "future-proof" data plane ecosystem.