SALAD-Nets: Synthesizing Network Accelerators using Programmable Switching Equipment

As programmable network equipment – including programmable switches and SmartNICs – become more commonplace, entire data-centers, both in cloud and edge environments have been equipped to use these devices, introducing a new challenge which is the subject of this proposal: How can developers and operators realize the flexibility and promise of such large-scale programmable networks? Developing specialized programs for each device in the network – either manually or with the help of existing tools – does not scale, and standardizing a common data-plane application across all devices forgoes much of the desired flexibility. Our goal in this project, called SALAD-Nets, is to allow developers, operators, and even cloud customers to design a virtual network of software NFs, and for a synthesizer to map this large-scale distributed network onto the underlying network substrate, as deployed in the data-center. Taking into account each device's capabilities and limitations, SALAD-Nets partitions and optimizes the network functionality, generating the code that powers not only the myriad devices in the network, but also the controller that orchestrates it all to realize on the physical network fabric the same functionality that was specified in the virtual network topology.

Calls

🎓@🇵🇹 - Ph.D. Position for the SALAD-Nets Project

Are you passionate about shaping the future of programmable networks? Look no further! Our research laboratory is seeking highly motivated PhD and postdoc candidates to embark on innovative projects at the intersection of programmable networks, systems, security, programming languages, and artificial intelligence.

For this call we are hiring PhD students or equivalent for the SALAD-Nets project—a joint project with Carnegie Mellon University. The SALAD-Nets project aims to automatically synthesize networks in a large-scale cloud/data-center environment, using programmable network equipment. We will build on our prior work [1, 2] to analyze large virtual network topologies, connecting servers and VMs through a variety of software network functions (NFs), and the physical network fabric topology that the virtual network will be deployed onto. We will process this to generate all of the network programs and controllers required to implement and deploy the virtual network using the physical fabric.

References:
1. F. Pereira, G. Matos, H. Sadok, D. Kim, R. Martins, J. Sherry, F. M. V. Ramos, L. Pedrosa: Automatic generation of network function accelerators using component-based synthesis. SOSR 2022
2. A. Agarwal, Z. Liu, S. Seshan: HeteroSketch: Coordinating Network-wide Monitoring in Heterogeneous and Dynamic Networks. NSDI 2022

Apply Online: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/206826

Reasons to Apply:
Join a cutting-edge research group: Become part of DPSS@INESC-ID—a dynamic research-driven team that publishes groundbreaking work in top-tier computer science venues. In the past 5 years we have published at NSDI (2x), SOSP (2x), S&P (2x), NDSS (3x), CCS (2x), Usenix SEC, AAAI, VLDB, ASPLOS, EuroSys(5x), CoNEXT, ATC, FAST, INFOCOM, among others.

Located at IST, University of Lisbon: Our faculty are academics at IST, the leading engineering school in Portugal and one of the top-15 in Europe in our field. Benefit from a stimulating academic environment renowned for its excellence in education and research.

Diverse Research Opportunities: You can participate in various research projects across different areas, from program synthesis for network accelerators (SALAD-Nets) to AI-based intelligence for edge computing (ACES) and high-speed translators for Internet architectures (Myriarch). Multiple positions are available to match your expertise and interests.

Live in Lisbon, Experience Excellence: Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Lisbon, consistently rated as one of Europe's most enjoyable cities to live in. From its rich history, diversity, and stunning architecture to its culinary delights, warm and sunny Mediterranean climate, and thriving arts scene, Lisbon offers an unparalleled quality of life.

Contact Us: If you're ready to embark on an exciting research journey and contribute to cutting-edge advancements in networking technologies, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We welcome inquiries from enthusiastic candidates eager to make a difference!

  • Luis Pedrosa <luis.pedrosa@tecnico.ulisboa.pt>
  • Fernando Ramos <fvramos@tecnico.ulisboa.pt>

People

  • Francisco Pereira (IST - U. Lisbon)
  • Anup Agarwal (CMU)
  • Srinivasan Seshan (CMU)
  • Fernando Ramos (IST - U. Lisbon / INESC-ID)
  • Luis Pedrosa (IST - U. Lisbon / INESC-ID)