Europa: Efficient User Mode Packet Forwarding in Network Virtualization

Network virtualization provides the ability to run concurrent virtual networks over a shared substrate. However, it is challenging to design such a platform to host multiple heterogeneous and often highly customized virtual networks. Not only minimal interference among different virtual networks is desired, high-speed packet forwarding is also required. This paper presents Europa, a virtual network platform uses efficient user mode packet forwarding, which supports high-speed and highly customizable virtual networks. This platform adopts lightweight OS level virtualization to slice a physical server into virtual machines.