vlib: add buffer and thread callbacks

Change-Id: I8e2e8f94a884ab2f9909d0c83ba00edd38cdab77
Signed-off-by: Damjan Marion <damarion@cisco.com>

9 files changed, 469 insertions, 818 deletions

diff --git a/src/vlib/buffer.c b/src/vlib/buffer.c
index 4bf6d125b21..0b0e6054ec2 100644
--- a/src/vlib/buffer.c
+++ b/src/vlib/buffer.c
@@ -38,50 +38,13 @@
  */
 
 /**
- * @cond (!DPDK)
  * @file
  *
  * Allocate/free network buffers.
  */
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-#include <rte_config.h>
-
-#include <rte_common.h>
-#include <rte_log.h>
-#include <rte_memory.h>
-#include <rte_memzone.h>
-#include <rte_tailq.h>
-#include <rte_eal.h>
-#include <rte_per_lcore.h>
-#include <rte_launch.h>
-#include <rte_atomic.h>
-#include <rte_cycles.h>
-#include <rte_prefetch.h>
-#include <rte_lcore.h>
-#include <rte_per_lcore.h>
-#include <rte_branch_prediction.h>
-#include <rte_interrupts.h>
-#include <rte_pci.h>
-#include <rte_random.h>
-#include <rte_debug.h>
-#include <rte_ether.h>
-#include <rte_ethdev.h>
-#include <rte_ring.h>
-#include <rte_mempool.h>
-#include <rte_mbuf.h>
-#include <rte_version.h>
-#endif
-
 #include <vlib/vlib.h>
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-#pragma weak rte_mem_virt2phy
-#pragma weak rte_eal_has_hugepages
-#pragma weak rte_socket_id
-#pragma weak rte_pktmbuf_pool_create
-#endif
-
 uword
 vlib_buffer_length_in_chain_slow_path (vlib_main_t * vm,
 				       vlib_buffer_t * b_first)
@@ -103,7 +66,6 @@ u8 *
 format_vlib_buffer (u8 * s, va_list * args)
 {
   vlib_buffer_t *b = va_arg (*args, vlib_buffer_t *);
-#if DPDK > 0
   uword indent = format_get_indent (s);
 
   s = format (s, "current data %d, length %d, free-list %d",
@@ -126,18 +88,6 @@ format_vlib_buffer (u8 * s, va_list * args)
 		  format_white_space, indent, next_buffer, b->current_length);
     }
 
-#else
-
-  s = format (s, "current data %d, length %d, free-list %d",
-	      b->current_data, b->current_length, b->free_list_index);
-
-  if (b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_IS_TRACED)
-    s = format (s, ", trace 0x%x", b->trace_index);
-
-  if (b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT)
-    s = format (s, ", next-buffer 0x%x", b->next_buffer);
-#endif
-
   return s;
 }
 
@@ -153,7 +103,6 @@ format_vlib_buffer_and_data (u8 * s, va_list * args)
   return s;
 }
 
-#if DPDK == 0
 static u8 *
 format_vlib_buffer_known_state (u8 * s, va_list * args)
 {
@@ -181,7 +130,6 @@ format_vlib_buffer_known_state (u8 * s, va_list * args)
 
   return format (s, "%s", t);
 }
-#endif
 
 u8 *
 format_vlib_buffer_contents (u8 * s, va_list * va)
@@ -200,7 +148,6 @@ format_vlib_buffer_contents (u8 * s, va_list * va)
   return s;
 }
 
-#if DPDK == 0
 static u8 *
 vlib_validate_buffer_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
 			     u32 bi,
@@ -217,11 +164,10 @@ vlib_validate_buffer_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
 
   if ((signed) b->current_data < (signed) -VLIB_BUFFER_PRE_DATA_SIZE)
     return format (0, "current data %d before pre-data", b->current_data);
-#if DPDK == 0
+
   if (b->current_data + b->current_length > fl->n_data_bytes)
     return format (0, "%d-%d beyond end of buffer %d",
 		   b->current_data, b->current_length, fl->n_data_bytes);
-#endif
 
   if (follow_buffer_next && (b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT))
     {
@@ -311,14 +257,12 @@ done:
   hash_free (hash);
   return result;
 }
-#endif
 
 vlib_main_t **vlib_mains;
 
-#if DPDK == 0
 /* When dubugging validate that given buffers are either known allocated
    or known free. */
-static void
+static void __attribute__ ((unused))
 vlib_buffer_validate_alloc_free (vlib_main_t * vm,
 				 u32 * buffers,
 				 uword n_buffers,
@@ -359,7 +303,6 @@ vlib_buffer_validate_alloc_free (vlib_main_t * vm,
 	 is_free ? VLIB_BUFFER_KNOWN_FREE : VLIB_BUFFER_KNOWN_ALLOCATED);
     }
 }
-#endif
 
 #define BUFFERS_PER_COPY (sizeof (vlib_copy_unit_t) / sizeof (u32))
 
@@ -463,7 +406,6 @@ vlib_buffer_create_free_list_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
 {
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f;
-#if DPDK > 0
   int i;
 
   ASSERT (os_get_cpu_number () == 0);
@@ -519,47 +461,6 @@ vlib_buffer_create_free_list_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
       wf->unaligned_buffers = 0;
       wf->n_alloc = 0;
     }
-#else
-
-  if (!is_default && pool_elts (bm->buffer_free_list_pool) == 0)
-    {
-      u32 default_free_free_list_index;
-
-      default_free_free_list_index = vlib_buffer_create_free_list_helper (vm,
-									  /* default buffer size */
-									  VLIB_BUFFER_DEFAULT_FREE_LIST_BYTES,
-									  /* is_public */
-									  1,
-									  /* is_default */
-									  1,
-									  (u8
-									   *)
-									  "default");
-      ASSERT (default_free_free_list_index ==
-	      VLIB_BUFFER_DEFAULT_FREE_LIST_INDEX);
-
-      if (n_data_bytes == VLIB_BUFFER_DEFAULT_FREE_LIST_BYTES && is_public)
-	return default_free_free_list_index;
-    }
-
-  pool_get_aligned (bm->buffer_free_list_pool, f, CLIB_CACHE_LINE_BYTES);
-
-  memset (f, 0, sizeof (f[0]));
-  f->index = f - bm->buffer_free_list_pool;
-  f->n_data_bytes = vlib_buffer_round_size (n_data_bytes);
-  f->min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc = 256;
-  f->name = clib_mem_is_heap_object (name) ? name : format (0, "%s", name);
-
-  /* Setup free buffer template. */
-  f->buffer_init_template.free_list_index = f->index;
-
-  if (is_public)
-    {
-      uword *p = hash_get (bm->free_list_by_size, f->n_data_bytes);
-      if (!p)
-	hash_set (bm->free_list_by_size, f->n_data_bytes, f->index);
-    }
-#endif
 
   return f->index;
 }
@@ -609,50 +510,30 @@ static void
 del_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, vlib_buffer_free_list_t * f)
 {
   u32 i;
-#if DPDK > 0
-  struct rte_mbuf *mb;
-  vlib_buffer_t *b;
-
-  for (i = 0; i < vec_len (f->unaligned_buffers); i++)
-    {
-      b = vlib_get_buffer (vm, f->unaligned_buffers[i]);
-      mb = rte_mbuf_from_vlib_buffer (b);
-      ASSERT (rte_mbuf_refcnt_read (mb) == 1);
-      rte_pktmbuf_free (mb);
-    }
-  for (i = 0; i < vec_len (f->aligned_buffers); i++)
-    {
-      b = vlib_get_buffer (vm, f->aligned_buffers[i]);
-      mb = rte_mbuf_from_vlib_buffer (b);
-      ASSERT (rte_mbuf_refcnt_read (mb) == 1);
-      rte_pktmbuf_free (mb);
-    }
-  vec_free (f->name);
-#else
 
   for (i = 0; i < vec_len (f->buffer_memory_allocated); i++)
     vm->os_physmem_free (f->buffer_memory_allocated[i]);
   vec_free (f->name);
   vec_free (f->buffer_memory_allocated);
-#endif
   vec_free (f->unaligned_buffers);
   vec_free (f->aligned_buffers);
 }
 
 /* Add buffer free list. */
 void
-vlib_buffer_delete_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 free_list_index)
+vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_internal (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 free_list_index)
 {
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f;
   u32 merge_index;
-#if DPDK > 0
   int i;
 
   ASSERT (os_get_cpu_number () == 0);
 
   f = vlib_buffer_get_free_list (vm, free_list_index);
 
+  ASSERT (vec_len (f->unaligned_buffers) + vec_len (f->aligned_buffers) ==
+	  f->n_alloc);
   merge_index = vlib_buffer_get_free_list_with_size (vm, f->n_data_bytes);
   if (merge_index != ~0 && merge_index != free_list_index)
     {
@@ -674,26 +555,6 @@ vlib_buffer_delete_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 free_list_index)
       memset (f, 0xab, sizeof (f[0]));
       pool_put (bm->buffer_free_list_pool, f);
     }
-#else
-
-  f = vlib_buffer_get_free_list (vm, free_list_index);
-
-  ASSERT (vec_len (f->unaligned_buffers) + vec_len (f->aligned_buffers) ==
-	  f->n_alloc);
-  merge_index = vlib_buffer_get_free_list_with_size (vm, f->n_data_bytes);
-  if (merge_index != ~0 && merge_index != free_list_index)
-    {
-      merge_free_lists (pool_elt_at_index (bm->buffer_free_list_pool,
-					   merge_index), f);
-    }
-
-  del_free_list (vm, f);
-
-  /* Poison it. */
-  memset (f, 0xab, sizeof (f[0]));
-
-  pool_put (bm->buffer_free_list_pool, f);
-#endif
 }
 
 /* Make sure free list has at least given number of free buffers. */
@@ -701,63 +562,6 @@ static uword
 fill_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
 		vlib_buffer_free_list_t * fl, uword min_free_buffers)
 {
-#if DPDK > 0
-  vlib_buffer_t *b;
-  int n, i;
-  u32 bi;
-  u32 n_remaining = 0, n_alloc = 0;
-  unsigned socket_id = rte_socket_id ? rte_socket_id () : 0;
-  struct rte_mempool *rmp = vm->buffer_main->pktmbuf_pools[socket_id];
-  struct rte_mbuf *mb;
-
-  /* Too early? */
-  if (PREDICT_FALSE (rmp == 0))
-    return 0;
-
-  trim_aligned (fl);
-
-  /* Already have enough free buffers on free list? */
-  n = min_free_buffers - vec_len (fl->aligned_buffers);
-  if (n <= 0)
-    return min_free_buffers;
-
-  /* Always allocate round number of buffers. */
-  n = round_pow2 (n, BUFFERS_PER_COPY);
-
-  /* Always allocate new buffers in reasonably large sized chunks. */
-  n = clib_max (n, fl->min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc);
-
-  vec_validate (vm->mbuf_alloc_list, n - 1);
-
-  if (rte_mempool_get_bulk (rmp, vm->mbuf_alloc_list, n) < 0)
-    return 0;
-
-  _vec_len (vm->mbuf_alloc_list) = n;
-
-  for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
-    {
-      mb = vm->mbuf_alloc_list[i];
-
-      ASSERT (rte_mbuf_refcnt_read (mb) == 0);
-      rte_mbuf_refcnt_set (mb, 1);
-
-      b = vlib_buffer_from_rte_mbuf (mb);
-      bi = vlib_get_buffer_index (vm, b);
-
-      vec_add1_aligned (fl->aligned_buffers, bi, sizeof (vlib_copy_unit_t));
-      n_alloc++;
-      n_remaining--;
-
-      vlib_buffer_init_for_free_list (b, fl);
-
-      if (fl->buffer_init_function)
-	fl->buffer_init_function (vm, fl, &bi, 1);
-    }
-
-  fl->n_alloc += n;
-
-  return n;
-#else
   vlib_buffer_t *buffers, *b;
   int n, n_bytes, i;
   u32 *bi;
@@ -824,7 +628,6 @@ fill_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
 	fl->buffer_init_function (vm, fl, bi, n_this_chunk);
     }
   return n_alloc;
-#endif
 }
 
 always_inline uword
@@ -833,6 +636,7 @@ copy_alignment (u32 * x)
   return (pointer_to_uword (x) / sizeof (x[0])) % BUFFERS_PER_COPY;
 }
 
+
 static u32
 alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
 		      vlib_buffer_free_list_t * free_list,
@@ -842,10 +646,6 @@ alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
   uword u_len, n_left;
   uword n_unaligned_start, n_unaligned_end, n_filled;
 
-#if DPDK == 0
-  ASSERT (os_get_cpu_number () == 0);
-
-#endif
   n_left = n_alloc_buffers;
   dst = alloc_buffers;
   n_unaligned_start = ((BUFFERS_PER_COPY - copy_alignment (dst))
@@ -945,25 +745,21 @@ alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
   else
     _vec_len (free_list->unaligned_buffers) = u_len;
 
-#if DPDK == 0
   /* Verify that buffers are known free. */
   vlib_buffer_validate_alloc_free (vm, alloc_buffers,
 				   n_alloc_buffers, VLIB_BUFFER_KNOWN_FREE);
-#endif
 
   return n_alloc_buffers;
 }
 
+
 /* Allocate a given number of buffers into given array.
    Returns number actually allocated which will be either zero or
    number requested. */
-u32
-vlib_buffer_alloc (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
+static u32
+vlib_buffer_alloc_internal (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
 {
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
-#if DPDK == 0
-  ASSERT (os_get_cpu_number () == 0);
-#endif
 
   return alloc_from_free_list
     (vm,
@@ -972,10 +768,10 @@ vlib_buffer_alloc (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
      buffers, n_buffers);
 }
 
-u32
-vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
-				  u32 * buffers,
-				  u32 n_buffers, u32 free_list_index)
+static u32
+vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_internal (vlib_main_t * vm,
+					   u32 * buffers,
+					   u32 n_buffers, u32 free_list_index)
 {
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f;
@@ -1016,81 +812,10 @@ vlib_set_buffer_free_callback (vlib_main_t * vm, void *fp)
   return rv;
 }
 
-#if DPDK == 0
-void vnet_buffer_free_dpdk_mb (vlib_buffer_t * b) __attribute__ ((weak));
-void
-vnet_buffer_free_dpdk_mb (vlib_buffer_t * b)
-{
-}
-
-#endif
 static_always_inline void
 vlib_buffer_free_inline (vlib_main_t * vm,
 			 u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers, u32 follow_buffer_next)
 {
-#if DPDK > 0
-  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
-  vlib_buffer_free_list_t *fl;
-  u32 fi;
-  int i;
-  u32 (*cb) (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers,
-	     u32 follow_buffer_next);
-
-  cb = bm->buffer_free_callback;
-
-  if (PREDICT_FALSE (cb != 0))
-    n_buffers = (*cb) (vm, buffers, n_buffers, follow_buffer_next);
-
-  if (!n_buffers)
-    return;
-
-  for (i = 0; i < n_buffers; i++)
-    {
-      vlib_buffer_t *b;
-      struct rte_mbuf *mb;
-
-      b = vlib_get_buffer (vm, buffers[i]);
-
-      fl = buffer_get_free_list (vm, b, &fi);
-
-      /* The only current use of this callback: multicast recycle */
-      if (PREDICT_FALSE (fl->buffers_added_to_freelist_function != 0))
-	{
-	  int j;
-
-	  add_buffer_to_free_list
-	    (vm, fl, buffers[i], (b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_RECYCLE) == 0);
-
-	  for (j = 0; j < vec_len (bm->announce_list); j++)
-	    {
-	      if (fl == bm->announce_list[j])
-		goto already_announced;
-	    }
-	  vec_add1 (bm->announce_list, fl);
-	already_announced:
-	  ;
-	}
-      else
-	{
-	  if (PREDICT_TRUE ((b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_RECYCLE) == 0))
-	    {
-	      mb = rte_mbuf_from_vlib_buffer (b);
-	      ASSERT (rte_mbuf_refcnt_read (mb) == 1);
-	      rte_pktmbuf_free (mb);
-	    }
-	}
-    }
-  if (vec_len (bm->announce_list))
-    {
-      vlib_buffer_free_list_t *fl;
-      for (i = 0; i < vec_len (bm->announce_list); i++)
-	{
-	  fl = bm->announce_list[i];
-	  fl->buffers_added_to_freelist_function (vm, fl);
-	}
-      _vec_len (bm->announce_list) = 0;
-    }
-#else
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *fl;
   static u32 *next_to_free[2];	/* smp bad */
@@ -1315,26 +1040,25 @@ again:
 	}
       _vec_len (announce_list) = 0;
     }
-#endif
 }
 
-void
-vlib_buffer_free (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
+static void
+vlib_buffer_free_internal (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
 {
   vlib_buffer_free_inline (vm, buffers, n_buffers,	/* follow_buffer_next */
 			   1);
 }
 
-void
-vlib_buffer_free_no_next (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
+static void
+vlib_buffer_free_no_next_internal (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers,
+				   u32 n_buffers)
 {
   vlib_buffer_free_inline (vm, buffers, n_buffers,	/* follow_buffer_next */
 			   0);
 }
 
-#if DPDK == 0
 /* Copy template packet data into buffers as they are allocated. */
-static void
+static void __attribute__ ((unused))
 vlib_packet_template_buffer_init (vlib_main_t * vm,
 				  vlib_buffer_free_list_t * fl,
 				  u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
@@ -1352,7 +1076,6 @@ vlib_packet_template_buffer_init (vlib_main_t * vm,
 		   b->current_length);
     }
 }
-#endif
 
 void
 vlib_packet_template_init (vlib_main_t * vm,
@@ -1362,28 +1085,22 @@ vlib_packet_template_init (vlib_main_t * vm,
 			   uword min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc,
 			   char *fmt, ...)
 {
-#if DPDK > 0
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
   va_list va;
   __attribute__ ((unused)) u8 *name;
+  vlib_buffer_free_list_t *fl;
 
   va_start (va, fmt);
   name = va_format (0, fmt, &va);
   va_end (va);
 
-  vlib_worker_thread_barrier_sync (vm);
-  memset (t, 0, sizeof (t[0]));
-
-  vec_add (t->packet_data, packet_data, n_packet_data_bytes);
+  if (bm->cb.vlib_packet_template_init_cb)
+    bm->cb.vlib_packet_template_init_cb (vm, (void *) t, packet_data,
+					 n_packet_data_bytes,
+					 min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc,
+					 name);
 
-  vlib_worker_thread_barrier_release (vm);
-#else
-  vlib_buffer_free_list_t *fl;
-  va_list va;
-  u8 *name;
-
-  va_start (va, fmt);
-  name = va_format (0, fmt, &va);
-  va_end (va);
+  vlib_worker_thread_barrier_sync (vm);
 
   memset (t, 0, sizeof (t[0]));
 
@@ -1406,7 +1123,7 @@ vlib_packet_template_init (vlib_main_t * vm,
   fl->buffer_init_template.current_data = 0;
   fl->buffer_init_template.current_length = n_packet_data_bytes;
   fl->buffer_init_template.flags = 0;
-#endif
+  vlib_worker_thread_barrier_release (vm);
 }
 
 void *
@@ -1429,7 +1146,6 @@ vlib_packet_template_get_packet (vlib_main_t * vm,
   return b->data;
 }
 
-#if DPDK == 0
 void
 vlib_packet_template_get_packet_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
 					vlib_packet_template_t * t)
@@ -1447,7 +1163,6 @@ vlib_packet_template_get_packet_helper (vlib_main_t * vm,
   _vec_len (t->free_buffers) = n_alloc;
 }
 
-#endif
 /* Append given data to end of buffer, possibly allocating new buffers. */
 u32
 vlib_buffer_add_data (vlib_main_t * vm,
@@ -1541,328 +1256,11 @@ vlib_buffer_chain_append_data_with_alloc (vlib_main_t * vm,
   return copied;
 }
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-clib_error_t *
-vlib_buffer_pool_create (vlib_main_t * vm, unsigned num_mbufs,
-			 unsigned socket_id)
-{
-  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
-  vlib_physmem_main_t *vpm = &vm->physmem_main;
-  struct rte_mempool *rmp;
-  int i;
-
-  if (!rte_pktmbuf_pool_create)
-    return clib_error_return (0, "not linked with DPDK");
-
-  vec_validate_aligned (bm->pktmbuf_pools, socket_id, CLIB_CACHE_LINE_BYTES);
-
-  /* pool already exists, nothing to do */
-  if (bm->pktmbuf_pools[socket_id])
-    return 0;
-
-  u8 *pool_name = format (0, "mbuf_pool_socket%u%c", socket_id, 0);
-
-  rmp = rte_pktmbuf_pool_create ((char *) pool_name,	/* pool name */
-				 num_mbufs,	/* number of mbufs */
-				 512,	/* cache size */
-				 VLIB_BUFFER_HDR_SIZE,	/* priv size */
-				 VLIB_BUFFER_PRE_DATA_SIZE + VLIB_BUFFER_DATA_SIZE,	/* dataroom size */
-				 socket_id);	/* cpu socket */
-
-  if (rmp)
-    {
-      {
-	uword this_pool_end;
-	uword this_pool_start;
-	uword this_pool_size;
-	uword save_vpm_start, save_vpm_end, save_vpm_size;
-	struct rte_mempool_memhdr *memhdr;
-
-	this_pool_start = ~0ULL;
-	this_pool_end = 0LL;
-
-	STAILQ_FOREACH (memhdr, &rmp->mem_list, next)
-	{
-	  if (((uword) (memhdr->addr + memhdr->len)) > this_pool_end)
-	    this_pool_end = (uword) (memhdr->addr + memhdr->len);
-	  if (((uword) memhdr->addr) < this_pool_start)
-	    this_pool_start = (uword) (memhdr->addr);
-	}
-	ASSERT (this_pool_start < ~0ULL && this_pool_end > 0);
-	this_pool_size = this_pool_end - this_pool_start;
-
-	if (CLIB_DEBUG > 1)
-	  {
-	    clib_warning ("%s: pool start %llx pool end %llx pool size %lld",
-			  pool_name, this_pool_start, this_pool_end,
-			  this_pool_size);
-	    clib_warning
-	      ("before: virtual.start %llx virtual.end %llx virtual.size %lld",
-	       vpm->virtual.start, vpm->virtual.end, vpm->virtual.size);
-	  }
-
-	save_vpm_start = vpm->virtual.start;
-	save_vpm_end = vpm->virtual.end;
-	save_vpm_size = vpm->virtual.size;
-
-	if ((this_pool_start < vpm->virtual.start) || vpm->virtual.start == 0)
-	  vpm->virtual.start = this_pool_start;
-	if (this_pool_end > vpm->virtual.end)
-	  vpm->virtual.end = this_pool_end;
-
-	vpm->virtual.size = vpm->virtual.end - vpm->virtual.start;
-
-	if (CLIB_DEBUG > 1)
-	  {
-	    clib_warning
-	      ("after: virtual.start %llx virtual.end %llx virtual.size %lld",
-	       vpm->virtual.start, vpm->virtual.end, vpm->virtual.size);
-	  }
-
-	/* check if fits into buffer index range */
-	if ((u64) vpm->virtual.size >
-	    ((u64) 1 << (32 + CLIB_LOG2_CACHE_LINE_BYTES)))
-	  {
-	    clib_warning ("physmem: virtual size out of range!");
-	    vpm->virtual.start = save_vpm_start;
-	    vpm->virtual.end = save_vpm_end;
-	    vpm->virtual.size = save_vpm_size;
-	    rmp = 0;
-	  }
-      }
-      if (rmp)
-	{
-	  bm->pktmbuf_pools[socket_id] = rmp;
-	  vec_free (pool_name);
-	  return 0;
-	}
-    }
-
-  vec_free (pool_name);
-
-  /* no usable pool for this socket, try to use pool from another one */
-  for (i = 0; i < vec_len (bm->pktmbuf_pools); i++)
-    {
-      if (bm->pktmbuf_pools[i])
-	{
-	  clib_warning
-	    ("WARNING: Failed to allocate mempool for CPU socket %u. "
-	     "Threads running on socket %u will use socket %u mempool.",
-	     socket_id, socket_id, i);
-	  bm->pktmbuf_pools[socket_id] = bm->pktmbuf_pools[i];
-	  return 0;
-	}
-    }
-
-  return clib_error_return (0, "failed to allocate mempool on socket %u",
-			    socket_id);
-}
-#endif
-
-static void
-vlib_serialize_tx (serialize_main_header_t * m, serialize_stream_t * s)
-{
-  vlib_main_t *vm;
-  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm;
-  uword n, n_bytes_to_write;
-  vlib_buffer_t *last;
-
-  n_bytes_to_write = s->current_buffer_index;
-  sm =
-    uword_to_pointer (s->data_function_opaque,
-		      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
-  vm = sm->vlib_main;
-
-  ASSERT (sm->tx.max_n_data_bytes_per_chain > 0);
-  if (serialize_stream_is_end_of_stream (s)
-      || sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes + n_bytes_to_write >
-      sm->tx.max_n_data_bytes_per_chain)
-    {
-      vlib_process_t *p = vlib_get_current_process (vm);
-
-      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
-      last->current_length = n_bytes_to_write;
-
-      vlib_set_next_frame_buffer (vm, &p->node_runtime, sm->tx.next_index,
-				  sm->first_buffer);
-
-      sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
-      sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes = 0;
-    }
-
-  else if (n_bytes_to_write == 0 && s->n_buffer_bytes == 0)
-    {
-      ASSERT (sm->first_buffer == ~0);
-      ASSERT (sm->last_buffer == ~0);
-      n =
-	vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vm, &sm->first_buffer, 1,
-					  sm->tx.free_list_index);
-      if (n != 1)
-	serialize_error (m,
-			 clib_error_create
-			 ("vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list fails"));
-      sm->last_buffer = sm->first_buffer;
-      s->n_buffer_bytes =
-	vlib_buffer_free_list_buffer_size (vm, sm->tx.free_list_index);
-    }
-
-  if (n_bytes_to_write > 0)
-    {
-      vlib_buffer_t *prev = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
-      n =
-	vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vm, &sm->last_buffer, 1,
-					  sm->tx.free_list_index);
-      if (n != 1)
-	serialize_error (m,
-			 clib_error_create
-			 ("vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list fails"));
-      sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes += n_bytes_to_write;
-      prev->current_length = n_bytes_to_write;
-      prev->next_buffer = sm->last_buffer;
-      prev->flags |= VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT;
-    }
-
-  if (sm->last_buffer != ~0)
-    {
-      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
-      s->buffer = vlib_buffer_get_current (last);
-      s->current_buffer_index = 0;
-      ASSERT (last->current_data == s->current_buffer_index);
-    }
-}
-
-static void
-vlib_serialize_rx (serialize_main_header_t * m, serialize_stream_t * s)
-{
-  vlib_main_t *vm;
-  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm;
-  vlib_buffer_t *last;
-
-  sm =
-    uword_to_pointer (s->data_function_opaque,
-		      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
-  vm = sm->vlib_main;
-
-  if (serialize_stream_is_end_of_stream (s))
-    return;
-
-  if (sm->last_buffer != ~0)
-    {
-      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
-
-      if (last->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT)
-	sm->last_buffer = last->next_buffer;
-      else
-	{
-	  vlib_buffer_free (vm, &sm->first_buffer, /* count */ 1);
-	  sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
-	}
-    }
-
-  if (sm->last_buffer == ~0)
-    {
-      while (clib_fifo_elts (sm->rx.buffer_fifo) == 0)
-	{
-	  sm->rx.ready_one_time_event =
-	    vlib_process_create_one_time_event (vm, vlib_current_process (vm),
-						~0);
-	  vlib_process_wait_for_one_time_event (vm, /* no event data */ 0,
-						sm->rx.ready_one_time_event);
-	}
-
-      clib_fifo_sub1 (sm->rx.buffer_fifo, sm->first_buffer);
-      sm->last_buffer = sm->first_buffer;
-    }
-
-  ASSERT (sm->last_buffer != ~0);
-
-  last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
-  s->current_buffer_index = 0;
-  s->buffer = vlib_buffer_get_current (last);
-  s->n_buffer_bytes = last->current_length;
-}
-
-static void
-serialize_open_vlib_helper (serialize_main_t * m,
-			    vlib_main_t * vm,
-			    vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm, uword is_read)
-{
-  /* Initialize serialize main but save overflow buffer for re-use between calls. */
-  {
-    u8 *save = m->stream.overflow_buffer;
-    memset (m, 0, sizeof (m[0]));
-    m->stream.overflow_buffer = save;
-    if (save)
-      _vec_len (save) = 0;
-  }
-
-  sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
-  if (is_read)
-    clib_fifo_reset (sm->rx.buffer_fifo);
-  else
-    sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes = 0;
-  sm->vlib_main = vm;
-  m->header.data_function = is_read ? vlib_serialize_rx : vlib_serialize_tx;
-  m->stream.data_function_opaque = pointer_to_uword (sm);
-}
-
-void
-serialize_open_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m, vlib_main_t * vm,
-			    vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm)
-{
-  serialize_open_vlib_helper (m, vm, sm, /* is_read */ 0);
-}
-
-void
-unserialize_open_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m, vlib_main_t * vm,
-			      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm)
-{
-  serialize_open_vlib_helper (m, vm, sm, /* is_read */ 1);
-}
-
-u32
-serialize_close_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m)
-{
-  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm
-    = uword_to_pointer (m->stream.data_function_opaque,
-			vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
-  vlib_buffer_t *last;
-  serialize_stream_t *s = &m->stream;
-
-  last = vlib_get_buffer (sm->vlib_main, sm->last_buffer);
-  last->current_length = s->current_buffer_index;
-
-  if (vec_len (s->overflow_buffer) > 0)
-    {
-      sm->last_buffer
-	= vlib_buffer_add_data (sm->vlib_main, sm->tx.free_list_index,
-				sm->last_buffer == ~0 ? 0 : sm->last_buffer,
-				s->overflow_buffer,
-				vec_len (s->overflow_buffer));
-      _vec_len (s->overflow_buffer) = 0;
-    }
-
-  return sm->first_buffer;
-}
-
-void
-unserialize_close_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m)
-{
-  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm
-    = uword_to_pointer (m->stream.data_function_opaque,
-			vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
-  if (sm->first_buffer != ~0)
-    vlib_buffer_free_one (sm->vlib_main, sm->first_buffer);
-  clib_fifo_reset (sm->rx.buffer_fifo);
-  if (m->stream.overflow_buffer)
-    _vec_len (m->stream.overflow_buffer) = 0;
-}
 
 static u8 *
 format_vlib_buffer_free_list (u8 * s, va_list * va)
 {
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f = va_arg (*va, vlib_buffer_free_list_t *);
-#if DPDK > 0
   u32 threadnum = va_arg (*va, u32);
   uword bytes_alloc, bytes_free, n_free, size;
 
@@ -1877,21 +1275,6 @@ format_vlib_buffer_free_list (u8 * s, va_list * va)
   bytes_free = size * n_free;
 
   s = format (s, "%7d%30s%12d%12d%=12U%=12U%=12d%=12d", threadnum,
-#else
-  uword bytes_alloc, bytes_free, n_free, size;
-
-  if (!f)
-    return format (s, "%=30s%=12s%=12s%=12s%=12s%=12s%=12s",
-		   "Name", "Index", "Size", "Alloc", "Free", "#Alloc",
-		   "#Free");
-
-  size = sizeof (vlib_buffer_t) + f->n_data_bytes;
-  n_free = vec_len (f->aligned_buffers) + vec_len (f->unaligned_buffers);
-  bytes_alloc = size * f->n_alloc;
-  bytes_free = size * n_free;
-
-  s = format (s, "%30s%12d%12d%=12U%=12U%=12d%=12d",
-#endif
 	      f->name, f->index, f->n_data_bytes,
 	      format_memory_size, bytes_alloc,
 	      format_memory_size, bytes_free, f->n_alloc, n_free);
@@ -1903,7 +1286,6 @@ static clib_error_t *
 show_buffers (vlib_main_t * vm,
 	      unformat_input_t * input, vlib_cli_command_t * cmd)
 {
-#if DPDK > 0
   vlib_buffer_main_t *bm;
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f;
   vlib_main_t *curr_vm;
@@ -1926,18 +1308,6 @@ show_buffers (vlib_main_t * vm,
     }
   while (vm_index < vec_len (vlib_mains));
 
-#else
-  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
-  vlib_buffer_free_list_t *f;
-
-  vlib_cli_output (vm, "%U", format_vlib_buffer_free_list, 0);
-  /* *INDENT-OFF* */
-  pool_foreach (f, bm->buffer_free_list_pool, ({
-    vlib_cli_output (vm, "%U", format_vlib_buffer_free_list, f);
-  }));
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
-
-#endif
   return 0;
 }
 
@@ -1949,34 +1319,38 @@ VLIB_CLI_COMMAND (show_buffers_command, static) = {
 };
 /* *INDENT-ON* */
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-#if CLIB_DEBUG > 0
-
-u32 *vlib_buffer_state_validation_lock;
-uword *vlib_buffer_state_validation_hash;
-void *vlib_buffer_state_heap;
-
-static clib_error_t *
-buffer_state_validation_init (vlib_main_t * vm)
+void
+vlib_buffer_cb_init (struct vlib_main_t *vm)
 {
-  void *oldheap;
-
-  vlib_buffer_state_heap = mheap_alloc (0, 10 << 20);
-
-  oldheap = clib_mem_set_heap (vlib_buffer_state_heap);
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_cb = &vlib_buffer_alloc_internal;
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_cb =
+    &vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_internal;
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_cb = &vlib_buffer_free_internal;
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_no_next_cb = &vlib_buffer_free_no_next_internal;
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_cb =
+    &vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_internal;
+  bm->extern_buffer_mgmt = 0;
+}
 
-  vlib_buffer_state_validation_hash = hash_create (0, sizeof (uword));
-  vec_validate_aligned (vlib_buffer_state_validation_lock, 0,
-			CLIB_CACHE_LINE_BYTES);
-  clib_mem_set_heap (oldheap);
+int
+vlib_buffer_cb_register (struct vlib_main_t *vm, vlib_buffer_callbacks_t * cb)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+  if (bm->extern_buffer_mgmt)
+    return -1;
+
+#define _(x) bm->cb.x = cb->x
+  _(vlib_buffer_alloc_cb);
+  _(vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_cb);
+  _(vlib_buffer_free_cb);
+  _(vlib_buffer_free_no_next_cb);
+  _(vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_cb);
+#undef _
+  bm->extern_buffer_mgmt = 1;
   return 0;
 }
 
-VLIB_INIT_FUNCTION (buffer_state_validation_init);
-#endif
-#endif
-
-
 /** @endcond */
 /*
  * fd.io coding-style-patch-verification: ON
diff --git a/src/vlib/buffer.h b/src/vlib/buffer.h
index 5f1e62f08c9..d270c08a602 100644
--- a/src/vlib/buffer.h
+++ b/src/vlib/buffer.h
@@ -46,15 +46,9 @@
 #include <vppinfra/vector.h>
 #include <vlib/error.h>		/* for vlib_error_t */
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-#include <rte_config.h>
-#define VLIB_BUFFER_DATA_SIZE		(2048)
-#define VLIB_BUFFER_PRE_DATA_SIZE	RTE_PKTMBUF_HEADROOM
-#else
 #include <vlib/config.h>	/* for __PRE_DATA_SIZE */
-#define VLIB_BUFFER_DATA_SIZE		(512)
+#define VLIB_BUFFER_DATA_SIZE		(2048)
 #define VLIB_BUFFER_PRE_DATA_SIZE	__PRE_DATA_SIZE
-#endif
 
 #if defined (CLIB_HAVE_VEC128) || defined (__aarch64__)
 typedef u8x16 vlib_copy_unit_t;
@@ -298,6 +292,27 @@ typedef struct vlib_buffer_free_list_t
 
 typedef struct
 {
+  u32 (*vlib_buffer_alloc_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers,
+			       u32 n_buffers);
+  u32 (*vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm,
+					      u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers,
+					      u32 free_list_index);
+  void (*vlib_buffer_free_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers,
+			       u32 n_buffers);
+  void (*vlib_buffer_free_no_next_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers,
+				       u32 n_buffers);
+  void (*vlib_packet_template_init_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm, void *t,
+					void *packet_data,
+					uword n_packet_data_bytes,
+					uword
+					min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc,
+					u8 * name);
+  void (*vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_cb) (struct vlib_main_t * vm,
+					   u32 free_list_index);
+} vlib_buffer_callbacks_t;
+
+typedef struct
+{
   /* Buffer free callback, for subversive activities */
   u32 (*buffer_free_callback) (struct vlib_main_t * vm,
 			       u32 * buffers,
@@ -323,12 +338,15 @@ typedef struct
   /* List of free-lists needing Blue Light Special announcements */
   vlib_buffer_free_list_t **announce_list;
 
-  /*  Vector of rte_mempools per socket */
-#if DPDK == 1
-  struct rte_mempool **pktmbuf_pools;
-#endif
+  /* Callbacks */
+  vlib_buffer_callbacks_t cb;
+  int extern_buffer_mgmt;
 } vlib_buffer_main_t;
 
+void vlib_buffer_cb_init (struct vlib_main_t *vm);
+int vlib_buffer_cb_register (struct vlib_main_t *vm,
+			     vlib_buffer_callbacks_t * cb);
+
 typedef struct
 {
   struct vlib_main_t *vlib_main;
@@ -385,11 +403,6 @@ serialize_vlib_buffer_n_bytes (serialize_main_t * m)
     vec_len (s->overflow_buffer);
 }
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-#define rte_mbuf_from_vlib_buffer(x) (((struct rte_mbuf *)x) - 1)
-#define vlib_buffer_from_rte_mbuf(x) ((vlib_buffer_t *)(x+1))
-#endif
-
 /*
  */
 
diff --git a/src/vlib/buffer_funcs.h b/src/vlib/buffer_funcs.h
index 75716eca7f6..15d93c1657f 100644
--- a/src/vlib/buffer_funcs.h
+++ b/src/vlib/buffer_funcs.h
@@ -195,8 +195,6 @@ do {                                                             \
 } while (0)
 #endif
 
-#if DPDK == 0
-
 typedef enum
 {
   /* Index is unknown. */
@@ -232,8 +230,6 @@ vlib_buffer_set_known_state (vlib_main_t * vm,
 u8 *vlib_validate_buffer (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 buffer_index,
 			  uword follow_chain);
 
-#endif /* DPDK == 0 */
-
 clib_error_t *vlib_buffer_pool_create (vlib_main_t * vm, unsigned num_mbufs,
 				       unsigned socket_id);
 
@@ -245,7 +241,15 @@ clib_error_t *vlib_buffer_pool_create (vlib_main_t * vm, unsigned num_mbufs,
     @return - (u32) number of buffers actually allocated, may be
     less than the number requested or zero
 */
-u32 vlib_buffer_alloc (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers);
+always_inline u32
+vlib_buffer_alloc (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 * buffers, u32 n_buffers)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+
+  ASSERT (bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_cb);
+
+  return bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_cb (vm, buffers, n_buffers);
+}
 
 always_inline u32
 vlib_buffer_round_size (u32 size)
@@ -261,9 +265,18 @@ vlib_buffer_round_size (u32 size)
     @return - (u32) number of buffers actually allocated, may be
     less than the number requested or zero
 */
-u32 vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
-				      u32 * buffers,
-				      u32 n_buffers, u32 free_list_index);
+always_inline u32
+vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
+				  u32 * buffers,
+				  u32 n_buffers, u32 free_list_index)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+
+  ASSERT (bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_cb);
+
+  return bm->cb.vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list_cb (vm, buffers, n_buffers,
+						     free_list_index);
+}
 
 /** \brief Free buffers
     Frees the entire buffer chain for each buffer
@@ -273,11 +286,19 @@ u32 vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm,
     @param n_buffers - (u32) number of buffers to free
 
 */
-void vlib_buffer_free (vlib_main_t * vm,
-		       /* pointer to first buffer */
-		       u32 * buffers,
-		       /* number of buffers to free */
-		       u32 n_buffers);
+always_inline void
+vlib_buffer_free (vlib_main_t * vm,
+		  /* pointer to first buffer */
+		  u32 * buffers,
+		  /* number of buffers to free */
+		  u32 n_buffers)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+
+  ASSERT (bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_cb);
+
+  return bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_cb (vm, buffers, n_buffers);
+}
 
 /** \brief Free buffers, does not free the buffer chain for each buffer
 
@@ -286,11 +307,19 @@ void vlib_buffer_free (vlib_main_t * vm,
     @param n_buffers - (u32) number of buffers to free
 
 */
-void vlib_buffer_free_no_next (vlib_main_t * vm,
-			       /* pointer to first buffer */
-			       u32 * buffers,
-			       /* number of buffers to free */
-			       u32 n_buffers);
+always_inline void
+vlib_buffer_free_no_next (vlib_main_t * vm,
+			  /* pointer to first buffer */
+			  u32 * buffers,
+			  /* number of buffers to free */
+			  u32 n_buffers)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+
+  ASSERT (bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_no_next_cb);
+
+  return bm->cb.vlib_buffer_free_no_next_cb (vm, buffers, n_buffers);
+}
 
 /** \brief Free one buffer
     Shorthand to free a single buffer chain.
@@ -307,7 +336,15 @@ vlib_buffer_free_one (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 buffer_index)
 /* Add/delete buffer free lists. */
 u32 vlib_buffer_create_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 n_data_bytes,
 				  char *fmt, ...);
-void vlib_buffer_delete_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 free_list_index);
+always_inline void
+vlib_buffer_delete_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 free_list_index)
+{
+  vlib_buffer_main_t *bm = vm->buffer_main;
+
+  ASSERT (bm->cb.vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_cb);
+
+  bm->cb.vlib_buffer_delete_free_list_cb (vm, free_list_index);
+}
 
 /* Find already existing public free list with given size or create one. */
 u32 vlib_buffer_get_or_create_free_list (vlib_main_t * vm, u32 n_data_bytes,
@@ -453,11 +490,6 @@ vlib_buffer_copy (vlib_main_t * vm, vlib_buffer_t * b)
   return fd;
 }
 
-/*
- * vlib_buffer_chain_* functions provide a way to create long buffers.
- * When DPDK is enabled, the 'hidden' DPDK header is taken care of transparently.
- */
-
 /* Initializes the buffer as an empty packet with no chained buffers. */
 always_inline void
 vlib_buffer_chain_init (vlib_buffer_t * first)
@@ -537,8 +569,6 @@ typedef struct
   /* Vector of packet data. */
   u8 *packet_data;
 
-  /* Note: the next three fields are unused if DPDK == 1 */
-
   /* Number of buffers to allocate in each call to physmem
      allocator. */
   u32 min_n_buffers_each_physmem_alloc;
diff --git a/src/vlib/buffer_serialize.c b/src/vlib/buffer_serialize.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..96a5f0a0da8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/vlib/buffer_serialize.c
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2015 Cisco and/or its affiliates.
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at:
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+/*
+ * buffer.c: allocate/free network buffers.
+ *
+ * Copyright (c) 2008 Eliot Dresselhaus
+ *
+ * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
+ * a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
+ * "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
+ * without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
+ * distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to
+ * permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to
+ * the following conditions:
+ *
+ * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
+ * included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+ *
+ *  THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+ *  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
+ *  MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
+ *  NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE
+ *  LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION
+ *  OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
+ *  WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+ */
+
+#include <vlib/vlib.h>
+
+static void
+vlib_serialize_tx (serialize_main_header_t * m, serialize_stream_t * s)
+{
+  vlib_main_t *vm;
+  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm;
+  uword n, n_bytes_to_write;
+  vlib_buffer_t *last;
+
+  n_bytes_to_write = s->current_buffer_index;
+  sm =
+    uword_to_pointer (s->data_function_opaque,
+		      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
+  vm = sm->vlib_main;
+
+  ASSERT (sm->tx.max_n_data_bytes_per_chain > 0);
+  if (serialize_stream_is_end_of_stream (s)
+      || sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes + n_bytes_to_write >
+      sm->tx.max_n_data_bytes_per_chain)
+    {
+      vlib_process_t *p = vlib_get_current_process (vm);
+
+      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
+      last->current_length = n_bytes_to_write;
+
+      vlib_set_next_frame_buffer (vm, &p->node_runtime, sm->tx.next_index,
+				  sm->first_buffer);
+
+      sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
+      sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes = 0;
+    }
+
+  else if (n_bytes_to_write == 0 && s->n_buffer_bytes == 0)
+    {
+      ASSERT (sm->first_buffer == ~0);
+      ASSERT (sm->last_buffer == ~0);
+      n =
+	vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vm, &sm->first_buffer, 1,
+					  sm->tx.free_list_index);
+      if (n != 1)
+	serialize_error (m,
+			 clib_error_create
+			 ("vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list fails"));
+      sm->last_buffer = sm->first_buffer;
+      s->n_buffer_bytes =
+	vlib_buffer_free_list_buffer_size (vm, sm->tx.free_list_index);
+    }
+
+  if (n_bytes_to_write > 0)
+    {
+      vlib_buffer_t *prev = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
+      n =
+	vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list (vm, &sm->last_buffer, 1,
+					  sm->tx.free_list_index);
+      if (n != 1)
+	serialize_error (m,
+			 clib_error_create
+			 ("vlib_buffer_alloc_from_free_list fails"));
+      sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes += n_bytes_to_write;
+      prev->current_length = n_bytes_to_write;
+      prev->next_buffer = sm->last_buffer;
+      prev->flags |= VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT;
+    }
+
+  if (sm->last_buffer != ~0)
+    {
+      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
+      s->buffer = vlib_buffer_get_current (last);
+      s->current_buffer_index = 0;
+      ASSERT (last->current_data == s->current_buffer_index);
+    }
+}
+
+static void
+vlib_serialize_rx (serialize_main_header_t * m, serialize_stream_t * s)
+{
+  vlib_main_t *vm;
+  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm;
+  vlib_buffer_t *last;
+
+  sm =
+    uword_to_pointer (s->data_function_opaque,
+		      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
+  vm = sm->vlib_main;
+
+  if (serialize_stream_is_end_of_stream (s))
+    return;
+
+  if (sm->last_buffer != ~0)
+    {
+      last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
+
+      if (last->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_NEXT_PRESENT)
+	sm->last_buffer = last->next_buffer;
+      else
+	{
+	  vlib_buffer_free (vm, &sm->first_buffer, /* count */ 1);
+	  sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
+	}
+    }
+
+  if (sm->last_buffer == ~0)
+    {
+      while (clib_fifo_elts (sm->rx.buffer_fifo) == 0)
+	{
+	  sm->rx.ready_one_time_event =
+	    vlib_process_create_one_time_event (vm, vlib_current_process (vm),
+						~0);
+	  vlib_process_wait_for_one_time_event (vm, /* no event data */ 0,
+						sm->rx.ready_one_time_event);
+	}
+
+      clib_fifo_sub1 (sm->rx.buffer_fifo, sm->first_buffer);
+      sm->last_buffer = sm->first_buffer;
+    }
+
+  ASSERT (sm->last_buffer != ~0);
+
+  last = vlib_get_buffer (vm, sm->last_buffer);
+  s->current_buffer_index = 0;
+  s->buffer = vlib_buffer_get_current (last);
+  s->n_buffer_bytes = last->current_length;
+}
+
+static void
+serialize_open_vlib_helper (serialize_main_t * m,
+			    vlib_main_t * vm,
+			    vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm, uword is_read)
+{
+  /* Initialize serialize main but save overflow buffer for re-use between calls. */
+  {
+    u8 *save = m->stream.overflow_buffer;
+    memset (m, 0, sizeof (m[0]));
+    m->stream.overflow_buffer = save;
+    if (save)
+      _vec_len (save) = 0;
+  }
+
+  sm->first_buffer = sm->last_buffer = ~0;
+  if (is_read)
+    clib_fifo_reset (sm->rx.buffer_fifo);
+  else
+    sm->tx.n_total_data_bytes = 0;
+  sm->vlib_main = vm;
+  m->header.data_function = is_read ? vlib_serialize_rx : vlib_serialize_tx;
+  m->stream.data_function_opaque = pointer_to_uword (sm);
+}
+
+void
+serialize_open_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m, vlib_main_t * vm,
+			    vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm)
+{
+  serialize_open_vlib_helper (m, vm, sm, /* is_read */ 0);
+}
+
+void
+unserialize_open_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m, vlib_main_t * vm,
+			      vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t * sm)
+{
+  serialize_open_vlib_helper (m, vm, sm, /* is_read */ 1);
+}
+
+u32
+serialize_close_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m)
+{
+  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm
+    = uword_to_pointer (m->stream.data_function_opaque,
+			vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
+  vlib_buffer_t *last;
+  serialize_stream_t *s = &m->stream;
+
+  last = vlib_get_buffer (sm->vlib_main, sm->last_buffer);
+  last->current_length = s->current_buffer_index;
+
+  if (vec_len (s->overflow_buffer) > 0)
+    {
+      sm->last_buffer
+	= vlib_buffer_add_data (sm->vlib_main, sm->tx.free_list_index,
+				sm->last_buffer == ~0 ? 0 : sm->last_buffer,
+				s->overflow_buffer,
+				vec_len (s->overflow_buffer));
+      _vec_len (s->overflow_buffer) = 0;
+    }
+
+  return sm->first_buffer;
+}
+
+void
+unserialize_close_vlib_buffer (serialize_main_t * m)
+{
+  vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *sm
+    = uword_to_pointer (m->stream.data_function_opaque,
+			vlib_serialize_buffer_main_t *);
+  if (sm->first_buffer != ~0)
+    vlib_buffer_free_one (sm->vlib_main, sm->first_buffer);
+  clib_fifo_reset (sm->rx.buffer_fifo);
+  if (m->stream.overflow_buffer)
+    _vec_len (m->stream.overflow_buffer) = 0;
+}
+
+/** @endcond */
+/*
+ * fd.io coding-style-patch-verification: ON
+ *
+ * Local Variables:
+ * eval: (c-set-style "gnu")
+ * End:
+ */
diff --git a/src/vlib/main.c b/src/vlib/main.c
index 6c6cad98bba..09f34bbd04a 100644
--- a/src/vlib/main.c
+++ b/src/vlib/main.c
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ vlib_put_next_frame (vlib_main_t * vm,
   vlib_frame_t *f;
   u32 n_vectors_in_frame;
 
-  if (DPDK == 0 && CLIB_DEBUG > 0)
+  if (vm->buffer_main->extern_buffer_mgmt == 0 && CLIB_DEBUG > 0)
     vlib_put_next_frame_validate (vm, r, next_index, n_vectors_left);
 
   nf = vlib_node_runtime_get_next_frame (vm, r, next_index);
@@ -1012,8 +1012,8 @@ dispatch_node (vlib_main_t * vm,
 
       /* When in interrupt mode and vector rate crosses threshold switch to
          polling mode. */
-      if ((DPDK == 0 && dispatch_state == VLIB_NODE_STATE_INTERRUPT)
-	  || (DPDK == 0 && dispatch_state == VLIB_NODE_STATE_POLLING
+      if ((dispatch_state == VLIB_NODE_STATE_INTERRUPT)
+	  || (dispatch_state == VLIB_NODE_STATE_POLLING
 	      && (node->flags
 		  & VLIB_NODE_FLAG_SWITCH_FROM_INTERRUPT_TO_POLLING_MODE)))
 	{
@@ -1615,6 +1615,7 @@ vlib_main (vlib_main_t * volatile vm, unformat_input_t * input)
     vm->name = "VLIB";
 
   vec_validate (vm->buffer_main, 0);
+  vlib_buffer_cb_init (vm);
 
   if ((error = vlib_thread_init (vm)))
     {
diff --git a/src/vlib/threads.c b/src/vlib/threads.c
index c5e58bc001a..b3bbd30ee10 100644
--- a/src/vlib/threads.c
+++ b/src/vlib/threads.c
@@ -22,29 +22,10 @@
 #include <vlib/threads.h>
 #include <vlib/unix/cj.h>
 
-
-#if DPDK==1
-#include <rte_config.h>
-#include <rte_common.h>
-#include <rte_eal.h>
-#include <rte_launch.h>
-#include <rte_lcore.h>
-#endif
 DECLARE_CJ_GLOBAL_LOG;
 
 #define FRAME_QUEUE_NELTS 32
 
-
-#if DPDK==1
-/*
- *  Weak definitions of DPDK symbols used in this file.
- *  Needed for linking test programs without DPDK libs.
- */
-unsigned __thread __attribute__ ((weak)) RTE_PER_LCORE (_lcore_id);
-struct lcore_config __attribute__ ((weak)) lcore_config[];
-unsigned __attribute__ ((weak)) rte_socket_id ();
-int __attribute__ ((weak)) rte_eal_remote_launch ();
-#endif
 u32
 vl (void *p)
 {
@@ -194,14 +175,17 @@ vlib_thread_init (vlib_main_t * vm)
     tm->cpu_socket_bitmap = clib_bitmap_set (0, 0, 1);
 
   /* pin main thread to main_lcore  */
-#if DPDK==0
-  {
-    cpu_set_t cpuset;
-    CPU_ZERO (&cpuset);
-    CPU_SET (tm->main_lcore, &cpuset);
-    pthread_setaffinity_np (pthread_self (), sizeof (cpu_set_t), &cpuset);
-  }
-#endif
+  if (tm->cb.vlib_thread_set_lcore_cb)
+    {
+      tm->cb.vlib_thread_set_lcore_cb (0, tm->main_lcore);
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      cpu_set_t cpuset;
+      CPU_ZERO (&cpuset);
+      CPU_SET (tm->main_lcore, &cpuset);
+      pthread_setaffinity_np (pthread_self (), sizeof (cpu_set_t), &cpuset);
+    }
 
   /* as many threads as stacks... */
   vec_validate_aligned (vlib_worker_threads, vec_len (vlib_thread_stacks) - 1,
@@ -520,32 +504,29 @@ vlib_worker_thread_bootstrap_fn (void *arg)
   return rv;
 }
 
-static int
-vlib_launch_thread (void *fp, vlib_worker_thread_t * w, unsigned lcore_id)
+static clib_error_t *
+vlib_launch_thread_int (void *fp, vlib_worker_thread_t * w, unsigned lcore_id)
 {
+  vlib_thread_main_t *tm = &vlib_thread_main;
   void *(*fp_arg) (void *) = fp;
 
   w->lcore_id = lcore_id;
-#if DPDK==1
-  if (!w->registration->use_pthreads)
-    if (rte_eal_remote_launch)	/* do we have dpdk linked */
-      return rte_eal_remote_launch (fp, (void *) w, lcore_id);
-    else
-      return -1;
+  if (tm->cb.vlib_launch_thread_cb && !w->registration->use_pthreads)
+    return tm->cb.vlib_launch_thread_cb (fp, (void *) w, lcore_id);
   else
-#endif
     {
-      int ret;
       pthread_t worker;
       cpu_set_t cpuset;
       CPU_ZERO (&cpuset);
       CPU_SET (lcore_id, &cpuset);
 
-      ret = pthread_create (&worker, NULL /* attr */ , fp_arg, (void *) w);
-      if (ret == 0)
-	return pthread_setaffinity_np (worker, sizeof (cpu_set_t), &cpuset);
-      else
-	return ret;
+      if (pthread_create (&worker, NULL /* attr */ , fp_arg, (void *) w))
+	return clib_error_return_unix (0, "pthread_create");
+
+      if (pthread_setaffinity_np (worker, sizeof (cpu_set_t), &cpuset))
+	return clib_error_return_unix (0, "pthread_setaffinity_np");
+
+      return 0;
     }
 }
 
@@ -769,6 +750,7 @@ start_workers (vlib_main_t * vm)
 
   for (i = 0; i < vec_len (tm->registrations); i++)
     {
+      clib_error_t *err;
       int j;
 
       tr = tm->registrations[i];
@@ -778,22 +760,24 @@ start_workers (vlib_main_t * vm)
 	  for (j = 0; j < tr->count; j++)
 	    {
 	      w = vlib_worker_threads + worker_thread_index++;
-	      if (vlib_launch_thread (vlib_worker_thread_bootstrap_fn, w, 0) <
-		  0)
-		clib_warning ("Couldn't start '%s' pthread ", tr->name);
+	      err = vlib_launch_thread_int (vlib_worker_thread_bootstrap_fn,
+					    w, 0);
+	      if (err)
+		clib_error_report (err);
 	    }
 	}
       else
 	{
 	  uword c;
-            /* *INDENT-OFF* */
-            clib_bitmap_foreach (c, tr->coremask, ({
-              w = vlib_worker_threads + worker_thread_index++;
-              if (vlib_launch_thread (vlib_worker_thread_bootstrap_fn, w, c) < 0)
-                clib_warning ("Couldn't start DPDK lcore %d", c);
-
-            }));
-/* *INDENT-ON* */
+          /* *INDENT-OFF* */
+          clib_bitmap_foreach (c, tr->coremask, ({
+            w = vlib_worker_threads + worker_thread_index++;
+	    err = vlib_launch_thread_int (vlib_worker_thread_bootstrap_fn,
+					  w, c);
+	    if (err)
+	      clib_error_report (err);
+          }));
+          /* *INDENT-ON* */
 	}
     }
   vlib_worker_thread_barrier_sync (vm);
@@ -1105,7 +1089,7 @@ cpu_config (vlib_main_t * vm, unformat_input_t * input)
     {
       tm->n_thread_stacks += tr->count;
       tm->n_pthreads += tr->count * tr->use_pthreads;
-      tm->n_eal_threads += tr->count * (tr->use_pthreads == 0);
+      tm->n_threads += tr->count * (tr->use_pthreads == 0);
       tr = tr->next;
     }
 
@@ -1423,6 +1407,7 @@ void
 vlib_worker_thread_fn (void *arg)
 {
   vlib_worker_thread_t *w = (vlib_worker_thread_t *) arg;
+  vlib_thread_main_t *tm = vlib_get_thread_main ();
   vlib_main_t *vm = vlib_get_main ();
 
   ASSERT (vm->cpu_index == os_get_cpu_number ());
@@ -1431,12 +1416,9 @@ vlib_worker_thread_fn (void *arg)
   clib_time_init (&vm->clib_time);
   clib_mem_set_heap (w->thread_mheap);
 
-#if DPDK > 0
   /* Wait until the dpdk init sequence is complete */
-  vlib_thread_main_t *tm = vlib_get_thread_main ();
-  while (tm->worker_thread_release == 0)
+  while (tm->extern_thread_mgmt && tm->worker_thread_release == 0)
     vlib_worker_thread_barrier_check ();
-#endif
 
   vlib_worker_thread_internal (vm);
 }
@@ -1475,6 +1457,20 @@ vlib_frame_queue_main_init (u32 node_index, u32 frame_queue_nelts)
   return (fqm - tm->frame_queue_mains);
 }
 
+
+int
+vlib_thread_cb_register (struct vlib_main_t *vm, vlib_thread_callbacks_t * cb)
+{
+  vlib_thread_main_t *tm = vlib_get_thread_main ();
+
+  if (tm->extern_thread_mgmt)
+    return -1;
+
+  tm->cb.vlib_launch_thread_cb = cb->vlib_launch_thread_cb;
+  tm->extern_thread_mgmt = 1;
+  return 0;
+}
+
 clib_error_t *
 threads_init (vlib_main_t * vm)
 {
diff --git a/src/vlib/threads.h b/src/vlib/threads.h
index 34ab5be8650..75a5a2818fb 100644
--- a/src/vlib/threads.h
+++ b/src/vlib/threads.h
@@ -265,6 +265,13 @@ typedef enum
 
 typedef struct
 {
+  clib_error_t *(*vlib_launch_thread_cb) (void *fp, vlib_worker_thread_t * w,
+					  unsigned lcore_id);
+  clib_error_t *(*vlib_thread_set_lcore_cb) (u32 thread, u16 lcore);
+} vlib_thread_callbacks_t;
+
+typedef struct
+{
   /* Link list of registrations, built by constructors */
   vlib_thread_registration_t *next;
 
@@ -290,8 +297,8 @@ typedef struct
   /* Number of pthreads */
   u32 n_pthreads;
 
-  /* Number of DPDK eal threads */
-  u32 n_eal_threads;
+  /* Number of threads */
+  u32 n_threads;
 
   /* Number of cores to skip, must match the core mask */
   u32 skip_cores;
@@ -320,6 +327,9 @@ typedef struct
   /* scheduling policy priority */
   u32 sched_priority;
 
+  /* callbacks */
+  vlib_thread_callbacks_t cb;
+  int extern_thread_mgmt;
 } vlib_thread_main_t;
 
 extern vlib_thread_main_t vlib_thread_main;
@@ -459,6 +469,9 @@ vlib_get_worker_handoff_queue_elt (u32 frame_queue_index,
   return elt;
 }
 
+int vlib_thread_cb_register (struct vlib_main_t *vm,
+			     vlib_thread_callbacks_t * cb);
+
 #endif /* included_vlib_threads_h */
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/vlib/threads_cli.c b/src/vlib/threads_cli.c
index ee632279db5..b64028c4cf0 100644
--- a/src/vlib/threads_cli.c
+++ b/src/vlib/threads_cli.c
@@ -20,14 +20,6 @@
 #include <vlib/threads.h>
 #include <vlib/unix/unix.h>
 
-#if DPDK==1
-#include <rte_config.h>
-#include <rte_common.h>
-#include <rte_eal.h>
-#include <rte_launch.h>
-#include <rte_lcore.h>
-#endif
-
 static u8 *
 format_sched_policy_and_priority (u8 * s, va_list * args)
 {
@@ -116,23 +108,6 @@ show_threads_fn (vlib_main_t * vm,
 	  vec_free (p);
 
 	  line = format (line, "%-7u%-7u%-7u%", lcore, core_id, socket_id);
-#if DPDK==1
-	  ASSERT (lcore <= RTE_MAX_LCORE);
-	  switch (lcore_config[lcore].state)
-	    {
-	    case WAIT:
-	      line = format (line, "wait");
-	      break;
-	    case RUNNING:
-	      line = format (line, "running");
-	      break;
-	    case FINISHED:
-	      line = format (line, "finished");
-	      break;
-	    default:
-	      line = format (line, "unknown");
-	    }
-#endif
 	}
       else
 	{
diff --git a/src/vlib/unix/physmem.c b/src/vlib/unix/physmem.c
index 80ab7b9d6f8..8d10ad2e88d 100644
--- a/src/vlib/unix/physmem.c
+++ b/src/vlib/unix/physmem.c
@@ -45,13 +45,13 @@ static void *
 unix_physmem_alloc_aligned (vlib_physmem_main_t * vpm, uword n_bytes,
 			    uword alignment)
 {
+  vlib_main_t *vm = vlib_get_main ();
   physmem_main_t *pm = &physmem_main;
   uword lo_offset, hi_offset;
   uword *to_free = 0;
 
-#if DPDK > 0
-  clib_warning ("unsafe alloc!");
-#endif
+  if (vm->buffer_main->extern_buffer_mgmt)
+    clib_warning ("unsafe alloc!");
 
   /* IO memory is always at least cache aligned. */
   alignment = clib_max (alignment, CLIB_CACHE_LINE_BYTES);
@@ -269,16 +269,17 @@ static clib_error_t *
 show_physmem (vlib_main_t * vm,
 	      unformat_input_t * input, vlib_cli_command_t * cmd)
 {
-#if DPDK > 0
-  vlib_cli_output (vm, "Not supported with DPDK drivers.");
-#else
   physmem_main_t *pm = &physmem_main;
+  if (vm->buffer_main->extern_buffer_mgmt)
+    {
+      vlib_cli_output (vm, "Not supported with external buffer management.");
+      return 0;
+    }
 
   if (pm->heap)
     vlib_cli_output (vm, "%U", format_mheap, pm->heap, /* verbose */ 1);
   else
     vlib_cli_output (vm, "No physmem allocated.");
-#endif
   return 0;
 }