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+---
+bookToc: false
+title: "Data Plane Throughput"
+weight: 1
+---
+
+# Data Plane Throughput
+
+Network data plane throughput is measured using multiple test methods in
+order to obtain representative and repeatable results across the large
+set of performance test cases implemented and executed within CSIT.
+
+Following throughput test methods are used:
+
+- MLRsearch - Multiple Loss Ratio search
+- MRR - Maximum Receive Rate
+- PLRsearch - Probabilistic Loss Ratio search
+
+Description of each test method is followed by generic test properties
+shared by all methods.
+
+## MLRsearch Tests
+
+### Description
+
+Multiple Loss Ratio search (MLRsearch) tests discover multiple packet
+throughput rates in a single search, reducing the overall test execution
+time compared to a binary search. Each rate is associated with a
+distinct Packet Loss Ratio (PLR) criteria. In FD.io CSIT two throughput
+rates are discovered: Non-Drop Rate (NDR, with zero packet loss, PLR=0)
+and Partial Drop Rate (PDR, with PLR<0.5%). MLRsearch is compliant with
+RFC2544.
+
+### Usage
+
+MLRsearch tests are run to discover NDR and PDR rates for each VPP and
+DPDK release covered by CSIT report. Results for small frame sizes
+(64b/78B, IMIX) are presented in packet throughput graphs
+(Box-and-Whisker Plots) with NDR and PDR rates plotted against the test
+cases covering popular VPP packet paths.
+
+Each test is executed at least 10 times to verify measurements
+repeatability and results are compared between releases and test
+environments. NDR and PDR packet and bandwidth throughput results for
+all frame sizes and for all tests are presented in detailed results
+tables.
+
+### Details
+
+See [MLRSearch]({{< ref "mlrsearch/#MLRsearch" >}}) section for more detail.
+MLRsearch is being standardized in IETF in
+[draft-ietf-bmwg-mlrsearch](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-ietf-bmwg-mlrsearch-01).
+
+## MRR Tests
+
+### Description
+
+Maximum Receive Rate (MRR) tests are complementary to MLRsearch tests,
+as they provide a maximum “raw” throughput benchmark for development and
+testing community.
+
+MRR tests measure the packet forwarding rate under the maximum load
+offered by traffic generator (dependent on link type and NIC model) over
+a set trial duration, regardless of packet loss. Maximum load for
+specified Ethernet frame size is set to the bi-directional link rate.
+
+### Usage
+
+MRR tests are much faster than MLRsearch as they rely on a single trial
+or a small set of trials with very short duration. It is this property
+that makes them suitable for continuous execution in daily performance
+trending jobs enabling detection of performance anomalies (regressions,
+progressions) resulting from data plane code changes.
+
+MRR tests are also used for VPP per patch performance jobs verifying
+patch performance vs parent. CSIT reports include MRR throughput
+comparisons between releases and test environments. Small frame sizes
+only (64b/78B, IMIX).
+
+### Details
+
+See [MRR Throughput]({{< ref "mrr_throughput/#MRR Throughput" >}})
+section for more detail about MRR tests configuration.
+
+FD.io CSIT performance dashboard includes complete description of
+[daily performance trending tests](https://s3-docs.fd.io/csit/master/trending/methodology/performance_tests.html)
+and [VPP per patch tests](https://s3-docs.fd.io/csit/master/trending/methodology/perpatch_performance_tests.html).
+
+## PLRsearch Tests
+
+### Description
+
+Probabilistic Loss Ratio search (PLRsearch) tests discovers a packet
+throughput rate associated with configured Packet Loss Ratio (PLR)
+criteria for tests run over an extended period of time a.k.a. soak
+testing. PLRsearch assumes that system under test is probabilistic in
+nature, and not deterministic.
+
+### Usage
+
+PLRsearch are run to discover a sustained throughput for PLR=10^-7
+(close to NDR) for VPP release covered by CSIT report. Results for small
+frame sizes (64b/78B) are presented in packet throughput graphs (Box
+Plots) for a small subset of baseline tests.
+
+Each soak test lasts 30 minutes and is executed at least twice. Results are
+compared against NDR and PDR rates discovered with MLRsearch.
+
+### Details
+
+See [PLRSearch]({{< ref "plrsearch/#PLRsearch" >}}) methodology section for
+more detail. PLRsearch is being standardized in IETF in
+[draft-vpolak-bmwg-plrsearch](https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-vpolak-bmwg-plrsearch).
+
+## Generic Test Properties
+
+All data plane throughput test methodologies share following generic
+properties:
+
+- Tested L2 frame sizes (untagged Ethernet):
+
+  - IPv4 payload: 64B, IMIX (28x64B, 16x570B, 4x1518B), 1518B, 9000B.
+  - IPv6 payload: 78B, IMIX (28x78B, 16x570B, 4x1518B), 1518B, 9000B.
+  - All quoted sizes include frame CRC, but exclude per frame
+    transmission overhead of 20B (preamble, inter frame gap).
+
+- Offered packet load is always bi-directional and symmetric.
+- All measured and reported packet and bandwidth rates are aggregate
+  bi-directional rates reported from external Traffic Generator
+  perspective.
+\ No newline at end of file