MTPP programmable platform under routine operation in the CESNET2 network

After the 2-month test operation the CESNET association put its MTPP (Modular Traffic Processing Platform) programmable platform into routine operation. MTPP is built around available hardware components with our own firmware. It is currently monitoring a link connecting the CESNET2 network with the commodity Internet.

Packet processing at full speed of 10 Gb/s is provided for packets of each size, solely in the platform firmware. In contrast to commercially available products in this category the firmware parts can be changed by dynamic reconfiguration. It enables the user to change the firmware for packet processing anytime during the operation by replacing modules without programming or the need for development tools for FPGA circuits. A range of modules are available, to obtain a number of packet and fault statistics about the monitored line, to generate packets, to emulate packet loss for testing of transfer protocols and for Bit Error Rate Tests (BERT). The platform is accessed via the Linux operating system running inside the FPGA without an external PC. CESNET also intends to introduce other module types and a platform version for the speed of 40 Gb/s.

The CESNET association was founded by universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The association is currently financed mainly from the resources of the governmental Research and Development Board and funds of the association members. The association performs the research and development of information and communication technologies, building and developing the national gigabit optical network, CESNET2, designed for research and educational purposes. With its research activities and accomplishments, the CESNET association can represent the Czech Republic in the pan-European GÉANT2 network construction project, actively participating in the project implementation. The spheres of association interest include developing tools to monitor high-speed networks (Gb/s and higher) performance and their optimization.