The data plane, also known as the forwarding plane, is the component of network infrastructure that processes and forwards data packets between devices. It performs essential functions like packet routing, filtering, and switching, based on predefined network rules. Hedgehog utilizes a open-source VPP data plane, allowing for transparent and standard technology usage.
The data plane is a foundational element in networking, enabling the actual movement of data across a network. When a data packet arrives at a network device, the data plane takes action, analyzing the packet's headers and making decisions about where to send it next. This process is guided by a set of instructions often maintained in routing tables or similar databases.
In the context of AI cloud networks, the data plane plays a crucial role in ensuring that data packets associated with AI workloads are handled efficiently. It provides mechanisms for traffic classification, enabling the network to differentiate and prioritize AI traffic. Moreover, it enforces Quality of Service (QoS) policies, which are vital for maintaining performance standards in AI applications that demand high throughput and low latency.
Security within the data plane involves applying rules to permit or deny traffic, potentially integrating with intrusion detection and prevention systems to safeguard against threats. Additionally, the data plane's load balancing capabilities are key for distributing traffic across servers to optimize resource use and maintain application availability.
Technologies like Vector Packet Processing (VPP) can be implemented as part of a data plane to enhance packet processing performance. VPP is an open-source option, as mentioned in the context of Hedgehog's AI cloud networking, that offers a platform for high-speed, scalable packet processing.