ClickINC: In-network Computing as a Service in Heterogeneous Programmable Data-center Networks

TL;DR

ClickINC introduces a unified framework that simplifies programming and deploying in-network computing in heterogeneous data-center networks, enabling developers to efficiently utilize network resources without disrupting normal operations.

Contribution

It presents a modular programming abstraction and automated workflow for in-network computing, addressing heterogeneity and complexity in data-center networks.

Findings

Feasibility demonstrated on emulator and prototype

Improved resource utilization and performance

Simplified development process for INC applications

Abstract

In-Network Computing (INC) has found many applications for performance boosts or cost reduction. However, given heterogeneous devices, diverse applications, and multi-path network typologies, it is cumbersome and error-prone for application developers to effectively utilize the available network resources and gain predictable benefits without impeding normal network functions. Previous work is oriented to network operators more than application developers. We develop ClickINC to streamline the INC programming and deployment using a unified and automated workflow. ClickINC provides INC developers a modular programming abstractions, without concerning to the states of the devices and the network topology. We describe the ClickINC framework, model, language, workflow, and corresponding algorithms. Experiments on both an emulator and a prototype system demonstrate its feasibility and benefits.