A Practical Introduction to XDP

Explore a practical introduction to the eXpress Data Path (XDP) in this Linux Plumbers Conference talk. Discover how XDP offers fast and programmable packet processing within the Linux kernel context, providing a safe execution environment for custom packet processing applications using eBPF programs. Learn about the integration of XDP with the kernel's networking stack and its advantages over kernel bypass mechanisms. Gain insights into the XDP programming environment, including code examples and the mindset shift required for XDP/eBPF development. Understand the split between kernel-side eBPF code and userspace control plane, as well as the flexibility in designing control plane APIs through eBPF map manipulation.