Benchmarking Methodology WG Rajiv Asati
Internet Draft Cisco
Updates: 2544 (if approved) Carlos Pignataro
Intended status: Informational Cisco
Expires: August 2010 Fernando Calabria
Cisco
Cesar Olvera
Consulintel
February 19, 2010
Device Reset Characterization
draft-asati-bmwg-reset-03
Abstract
An operational forwarding device may need to be re-started
(automatically or manually) for a variety of reasons, an event that
we call a "reset" in this document. Since there may be an
interruption in the forwarding operation during a reset, it is
useful to know how long a device takes to begin forwarding packets
again.
This document specifies a methodology for characterizing reset
during benchmarking of forwarding devices, and provides clarity and
consistency in reset test procedures beyond what's specified in
RFC2544. It therefore updates RFC2544.
Status of this Memo
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction...................................................4
1.1. Scope.....................................................4
2. Key Words to Reflect Requirements..............................5
3. Reset Test.....................................................5
3.1. Hardware Reset............................................5
3.1.1. Routing Processor (RP) / Routing Engine reset........6
3.1.1.1. RP Failure for a single-RP device (mandatory)...6
3.1.1.2. RP Failure for a multiple-RP device (optional)..7
3.1.2. Line Card (LC) Removal and Insertion (mandatory).....9
3.2. Software Reset...........................................11
3.2.1. Operating System (OS) reset (mandatory).............11
3.2.2. Process reset (optional)............................13
3.3. Power interruption.......................................15
3.3.1. Power Interruption (mandatory)......................15
4. Security Considerations.......................................16
5. IANA Considerations...........................................17
6. Acknowledgments...............................................17
7. References....................................................18
7.1. Normative References.....................................18
7.2. Informative References...................................18
Authors' Addresses...............................................19
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1. Introduction
An operational forwarding device (or one of its components) may need
to be re-started for a variety of reasons, an event that we call a
"reset" in this draft. Since there may be an interruption in the
forwarding operation during a reset, it is useful to know how long a
device takes to begin forwarding packets again.
However, the answer to this question is no longer simple and
straight-forward as the modern forwarding devices employ many
hardware advancements (distributed forwarding, etc.) and software
advancements (graceful restart, etc.) that influence the recovery
time after the reset.
Additionally, there are other factors that influence the recovery
time after the reset:
1. Type of reset - Hardware (line-card crash, etc.) vs. Software
(protocol reset, process crash, etc.) or even complete power
failures
2. Manual vs. Automatic reset
3. Local vs. Remote reset
4. Scale - Number of line cards present vs. in-use
5. Scale - Number of physical and logical interfaces
6. Scale - Number of routing protocol instances
This document specifies a methodology for characterizing reset
during benchmarking of forwarding devices, and provides clarity and
consistency in reset procedures beyond what's specified in
[RFC2544]. These procedures may be used by other benchmarking
documents such as [RFC2544], [RFC5180], [RFC5695], etc.
This document updates Section 26.6 of [RFC2544].
1.1. Scope
This document focuses on only the reset criterion of benchmarking,
and presumes that it would be beneficial to [RFC2544], [RFC5180],
[RFC5695], and other BMWG benchmarking efforts.
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2. Key Words to Reflect Requirements
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14, RFC 2119
[RFC2119]. RFC 2119 defines the use of these key words to help make
the intent of standards track documents as clear as possible. While
this document uses these keywords, this document is not a standards
track document.
3. Reset Test
This section contains the description of the tests that are related
to the characterization of DUT's (Device Under Test) / SUT's (System
Under Test) speed to recover from a reset. There are three types of
reset considered in this document:
1. Hardware resets
2. Software resets
3. Power interruption
Section 3.1 describes various hardware resets, whereas Section 3.2
describes various software resets. Additionally, Section 3.3
describes power interruption tests. These sections define and
characterize these resets.
Additionally, since device specific implementations may vary for
hardware and software type resets, it is desirable to classify each
test case as "mandatory" or "optional".
3.1. Hardware Reset
A test designed to characterize the time it takes a DUT to recover
from the hardware reset.
A "hardware reset" generally involves the re-initialization of one
or more physical components in the DUT, but not the entire DUT.
A hardware reset is executed by the operator for example by physical
removal of a physical component, by pressing on a "reset" button for
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the component, or could even be triggered from the command line
interface.
For routers that do not contain separate Routing Processor and Line
Card modules, the hardware reset tests are not performed since they
are not relevant; instead, the power interruption tests are
mandatory to be performed (see Section 3.3) in these cases.
3.1.1. Routing Processor (RP) / Routing Engine reset
The Routing Processor (RP) is the DUT module that is primarily
concerned with Control Plane functions.
3.1.1.1. RP Failure for a single-RP device (mandatory)
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from a Route
processor hardware reset in a single RP environment.
Procedure
First, ensure that the RP is in a permanent state to which it will
return to after the reset, by performing some or all of the
following operational tasks: save the current DUT configuration,
specify boot parameters, ensure the appropriate software files are
available, or perform additional Operating System or hardware
related task.
Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, perform the Route Processor (RP) hardware reset at this
point. This entails for example physically removing the RP to
later re-insert it, or triggering a hardware reset by other means
(e.g., command line interface, physical switch, etc.)
Finally, the characterization is completed by measuring the frame
loss and recovery time from the moment the RP is re-initialized or
reinserted.
Reporting format
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The reset results are reported in a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times.
For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
3.1.1.2. RP Failure for a multiple-RP device (optional)
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a "secondary" Route Processor
(sometimes referred to as "backup" RP) of a DUT becomes active
after a "primary" (or "active") Route Processor hardware reset.
This process is often referred to as "RP Switchover". The
characterization in this test should be done for the default DUT
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behavior as well as a DUT's non-default configuration that
minimizes frame loss.
Procedure
This test characterizes "RP Switchover". Many implementations
allow for optimized switchover capabilities that minimize the
downtime during the actual switchover. This test consists of two
sub-cases from a switchover characteristics standpoint: First, a
default behavior (with no switchover-specific configurations); and
second, a non-default behavior with switchover configuration to
minimize frame loss. Therefore, the procedures hereby described
are executed twice, and reported separately.
First, ensure that the RPs are in a permanent state such that the
secondary will be activated to the same state as the active is, by
performing some or all of the following operational tasks: save
the current DUT configuration, specify boot parameters, ensure the
appropriate software files are available, or perform additional
Operating System or hardware related task.
Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, perform the primary Route Processor (RP) hardware reset at
this point. This entails for example physically removing the RP,
or triggering a hardware reset by other means (e.g., command line
interface, physical switch, etc.) Is up to the Operator to decide
if the active RP needs to be re-inserted after a grace period or
not.
Finally, the characterization is completed by measuring the
complete frame loss and recovery time from the moment the active
RP is hardware-reset.
Reporting format
The reset results are reported twice, one for the default
switchover behavior and the other for the non-default one. For
each, the report consists of a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times, as well as any specific redundancy
scheme in place.
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For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
3.1.2. Line Card (LC) Removal and Insertion (mandatory)
The Line Card (LC) is the DUT component that is responsible with
packet forwarding.
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from a Line Card
removal and insertion event.
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Procedure
For this test, the Line Card that is being hardware-reset MUST be
on the forwarding path and all destinations MUST be directly
connected.
First, complete some or all of the following operational tasks:
save the current DUT configuration, specify boot parameters,
ensure the appropriate software files are available, or perform
additional Operating System or hardware related task.
Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, perform the Line Card (LC) hardware reset at this point.
This entails for example physically removing the LC to later re-
insert it, or triggering a hardware reset by other means (e.g.,
command line interface, physical switch, etc.)
Finally, the characterization is completed by measuring the frame
loss and recovery time from the moment the LC is reinitialized or
reinserted.
Reporting Format
The reset results are reported in a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times.
For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
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Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
3.2. Software Reset
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from the software
reset.
In contrast to a "hardware reset", a "software reset" involves only
the re-initialization of the execution, data structures, and partial
state within the software running on the DUT module(s).
A software reset is initiated for example from the DUT's Command
Line Interface (CLI).
3.2.1. Operating System (OS) reset (mandatory)
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from an
Operating System (OS) software reset.
Procedure
First, complete some or all of the following operational tasks:
save the current DUT configuration, specify software boot
parameters, ensure the appropriate software files are available,
or perform additional Operating System task.
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Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, trigger an Operating System re-initialization in the DUT,
by operational means such as use of the DUT's Command Line
Interface (CLI) or other management interface.
Finally, the characterization is completed by measuring the
complete frame loss and recovery time from the moment the reset
instruction was given until the Operating System finished the
reload and re-initialization (inferred by the re-establishing of
traffic).
Reporting format
The reset results are reported in a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times.
For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
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Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
3.2.2. Process reset (optional)
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from a software
process reset.
Such speed may depend upon the number and types of process running
in the DUT and which ones are tested. Different implementations of
forwarding devices include various common processes. A process
reset should be performed only in the processes most relevant to
the tester.
Procedure
First, complete some or all of the following operational tasks:
save the current DUT configuration, specify software parameters or
environmental variables, or perform additional Operating System
task.
Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, trigger a process reset for each process running in the DUT
and considered for testing from a management interface (e.g., by
means of the Command Line Interface (CLI), etc.)
Finally, the characterization for each individual process is
completed by measuring the complete frame loss and recovery time
from the moment the reset instruction was given until the
Operating System finished the reload and re-initialization
(inferred by the re-establishing of traffic).
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Reporting format
The reset results are reported in a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times for each process running in the DUT
and tested. Given the implementation nature of this test, details
of the actual process tested should be included along with the
statement.
For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
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3.3. Power interruption
"Power interruption" refers to the complete loss of power on the
DUT. It can be viewed as a special case of a hardware reset,
triggered by the loss of the power supply to the DUT or its
components, and is characterized by the re-initialization of all
hardware and software in the DUT.
3.3.1. Power Interruption (mandatory)
Objective
To characterize the speed at which a DUT recovers from a complete
loss of electric power or complete power interruption. This test
simulates a complete power failure or outage, and should be
indicative of the DUT/SUT's behavior during such event.
Procedure
First, ensure that the entire DUT is at a permanent state to which
it will return to after the power interruption, by performing some
or all of the following operational tasks: save the current DUT
configuration, specify boot parameters, ensure the appropriate
software files are available, or perform additional Operating
System or hardware related task.
Second, ensure that the DUT is able to forward the traffic for at
least 15 seconds before any test activities are performed. The
traffic should use the minimum frame size possible on the media
used in the testing and rate should be sufficient for the DUT to
attain the maximum forwarding throughput. This enables a finer
granularity in the recovery time measurement.
Third, interrupt the power (AC or DC) that feeds the corresponding
DUT's power supplies at this point. This entails for example
physically removing the power supplies in the DUT to later re-
insert them, or simply disconnecting or switching off their power
feeds (AC or DC as applicable). The actual power interruption
should last at least 15 seconds.
Finally, the characterization is completed by measuring the frame
loss and recovery time from the moment the power is restored or
the power supplies reinserted in the DUT.
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Reporting format
The reset results are reported in a simple statement including the
frame loss and recovery times.
For each test case, it is RECOMMENDED that the following
parameters be reported in these units:
Parameter Units or Examples
Throughput Frames per second and bits per
second
Loss Frames
Time Seconds, with sufficient resolution
to convey meaningful info
Protocol IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, etc.
Frame Size Octets
Port Media Ethernet, GigE (Gigabit Ethernet),
POS (Packet over SONET), etc.
Port Speed 10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps, etc.
Interface Encap. Ethernet, Ethernet VLAN,
PPP, HDLC, etc.
The reporting of results MUST regard repeatability considerations
from Section 4 of [RFC2544]. It is RECOMMENDED to perform multiple
trials and report average results.
4. Security Considerations
Benchmarking activities, as described in this memo, are limited to
technology characterization using controlled stimuli in a laboratory
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environment, with dedicated address space and the constraints
specified in the sections above.
The benchmarking network topology will be an independent test setup
and MUST NOT be connected to devices that may forward the test
traffic into a production network or misroute traffic to the test
management network.
Furthermore, benchmarking is performed on a "black-box" basis,
relying solely on measurements observable external to the DUT/SUT.
Special capabilities SHOULD NOT exist in the DUT/SUT specifically
for benchmarking purposes. Any implications for network security
arising from the DUT/SUT SHOULD be identical in the lab and in
production networks.
There are no specific security considerations within the scope of
this document.
5. IANA Considerations
There is no IANA consideration for this document.
6. Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Ron Bonica, who motivated us to
write this document. The authors would also like to thank Al Morton
and Andrew Yourtchenko for providing review, suggestions, and
valuable input.
This document was prepared using 2-Word-v2.0.template.dot.
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7. References
7.1. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC2544] Bradner, S. and McQuaid, J., "Benchmarking Methodology for
Network Interconnect Devices", RFC 2544, March 1999.
7.2. Informative References
[RFC5180] Popoviciu, C., et al, "IPv6 Benchmarking Methodology for
Network Interconnect Devices", RFC 5180, May 2008.
[RFC5695] Akhter, A., Asati, R., and C. Pignataro, "MPLS Forwarding
Benchmarking Methodology for IP Flows", RFC 5695, November
2009.
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Authors' Addresses
Rajiv Asati
Cisco Systems
7025-6 Kit Creek Road
RTP, NC 27709
USA
Email: rajiva@cisco.com
Carlos Pignataro
Cisco Systems
7200-12 Kit Creek Road
RTP, NC 27709
USA
Email: cpignata@cisco.com
Fernando Calabria
Cisco Systems
7200-12 Kit Creek Road
RTP, NC 27709
USA
Email: fcalabri@cisco.com
Cesar Olvera
Consulintel
Joaquin Turina, 2
Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, E-28224
Spain
Phone: +34 91 151 81 99
Email: cesar.olvera@consulintel.es
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