A multihoming application flow network using "A-BOX": a fast packet processing node featuring direct traffic monitoring

This paper proposes a novel IP multihoming scheme in which fast packet processing nodes switch and distribute the traffic on an application flow basis. The newly developed node, called A-BOX, classifies each incoming packet up to the layer 4(L4) or L7(payload) header, edits it as necessary, and forwards it to an outgoing port according to the header's entry. The NAT-like sandwiched path formed between A-BOXs acts like one path defined for an application flow, and so suits applications that have QoS(quality of service) requirements. A-BOX realizes wire rate forwarding by applying hardware techniques including FPGAs. A-BOX can measure the traffic on a real time basis for each flow and distribute the flow to achieve the application's requirements. The software interface of A-BOX means that the network can be transparently controlled for each application flow. We clarify the feasibility of A-BOX's basic methods, which include network condition monitoring via individual flow with huge background traffic, switching a specified flow in the multihoming condition, and traffic sharing/bandwidth aggregation.