Programming language optimizations for modular router configurations

Abstract

Networking systems such as Ensemble, the x -kernel, Scout, and Click achieve flexibility by building routers and other packet processors from modular components. Unfortunately, component designs are often slower than purpose-built code, and routers in particular have stringent efficiency requirements. This paper addresses the efficiency problems of one component-based router, Click, through optimization tools inspired in part by compiler optimization passes. This pragmatic approach can result in significant performance improvements; for example, the combination of three optimizations reduces the amount of CPU time Click requires to process a packet in a simple IP router by 34%. We present several optimization tools, describe how those tools affected the design of Click itself, and present detailed evaluations of Click's performance with and without optimization.