Genesis Kernel (GK) for Network Processor based Routers

The Genesis Kernel (GK) is a programming system capable of creating network architectures dynamically. We envision programmable networks having the capability of spawning virtual networks with their own protocols for transport control and management. This is a departure from the operating systems analogy, where the parent and child processes typically share the same hardware. The Genesis Kernel is capable of profiling, spawning and managing network architectures through the realization of a life cycle process. While the design of the Genesis Kernel is generic, the current implementation of the system is focused toward the Intel IXP1200 network processor.

The following source code, utilities and services are available:

a service creation environment and a suite of test programs that create virtual networks dynamically;

an XML grammar and parser for profiling virtual networks;

a virtual router implementation for network processor-based routers, consisting of a modular control plane and a modular data path;

a binding tool (NetBind) for constructing the data path of virtual routers in network processor-based routers;

remote access to Columbia's Virtual Network Testbed for experimenting with Genesis.