Toward a Practical Reconfigurable Router: A Software Component Development Approach

Modern routers are no longer simple packet routing equipment. They are extremely complex systems that incorporate various network management functionalities. Due to system complexity, most commercial routers are developed by a few equipment vendors in a closed development pattern, which not only hinders the broad participation of most routing function research and development (R&D) teams, but also deter the wide deployment of novel network architectures such as Software Defined Networks (SDNs). In this article a practical approach is introduced to build an open, flexible, and modularized reconfigurable router. A reconfigurable routing software platform supporting functional modules is dynamically assembled, replaced, and updated in the form of components. So far the platform has been adopted by vendors such as Ruijie Networks in their commercial routers, and it is running well all the time. Moreover, a component development environment is provided, which consists of a code editor, a multi-platform compiler, and an automatic testing tool. A component sharing website has also been built to encourage the participation of various R&D teams and promote the spread of our open reconfigurable development pattern.