Protocol virtualization through dynamic network stacks

Network operators move away from specialized solutions and towards generic hardware and virtualized environments, allowing them to scale faster and at lower cost. It also allows them to adapt and control their network via software such as OpenFlow. Today, this control loop does not provide end-to-end adaptation and control. Mainly due to the fact that end devices, e.g., mobile phones, and the applications installed are not yet part of this control loop. To enable this, we must push virtualization to the end device. In this paper, we introduce the Dynamic Network Stack (DyNS). DyNS is based on the idea of protocol virtualization. Hidden behind a virtual network interface, DyNS creates different network protocol stacks for each application. As requirements change, DyNS can seamlessly switch between network stacks. A first proof-of-concept implementation on Linux illustrates the feasibility by switching between UDP/IP and DCCP/IP with minimal overhead and transparency for the application.