pL4S: Design and Evaluation of Pluggable L4S to Enhance the Real-Time Network Performance

The escalating demand for real-time applications such as cloud gaming and virtual reality presents unique challenges in managing network latency and throughput simultaneously. Traditional congestion control mechanisms, which primarily rely on packet loss as a signal, are inadequate for modern applications requiring high throughput and ultra-low latency. This paper introduces a pluggable implementation of the Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable throughput (L4S) architecture using eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) programs to enhance the Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) mechanism. We specifically focus on replicating the L4S client functionality at the receiver end, which is crucial for the Accurate ECN (AccECN) protocol. By leveraging sched_cls eBPF programs, our design captures and manipulates packet flows at both ingress and egress points, enabling precise congestion feedback and efficient protocol negotiation directly from the data plane. Our approach ensures compatibility with existing network infrastructures and extends L4S benefits to devices operating on legacy kernels. The paper evaluates the implications of this design on network performance, particularly its ability to reduce latency and handle high throughput demands seamlessly. Through this innovation, we aim to accelerate the adoption of L4S across varied network environments, enhancing the quality of experience for latency-sensitive applications without extensive system overhauls.