Augmenting P4 Software Pipelines with Accelerators - The IPsec Use Case

Learn about augmenting P4 software pipelines with accelerators in this technical presentation focused on implementing IPsec support through non-programmable extern blocks. Explore how software blocks execute parallel to pipelines across multiple CPU cores through asynchronous communication, with specific emphasis on DPDK IPsec and crypto libraries implementation. Discover the process of connecting IPsec blocks to pipeline input/output ports via packet queues while maintaining minimal impact on pipeline programming. Master the implementation of IPsec tunnel and transport modes with various cipher and hash algorithms in this comprehensive discussion of network performance acceleration. Through detailed explanations covering P4 fundamentals, runtime environments, new features, and IPsec block accelerators, gain practical insights into enhancing programmable pipeline capabilities for improved packet processing across x86, POWER and ARM processors.