Millions of Little Minions: Using Packets for Low Latency Network   Programming and Visibility (Extended Version)
  This paper presents a practical approach to rapidly introduce new dataplane functionality into networks: End-hosts embed tiny programs into packets to actively query and manipulate a network's internal state. We show how this "tiny packet program" (TPP) interface gives end-hosts unprecedented visibility into network behavior, enabling them to work with the network to achieve a common goal. Our design leverages what each component does best: (a) switches forward and execute tiny packet programs (at most 5 instructions) at line rate, and (b) end-hosts perform arbitrary computation on network state, which are easy to evolve. Using a hardware prototype on a NetFPGA, we show our design is feasible, at a reasonable cost. By implementing three different research proposals, we show that TPPs are also useful. And finally, we present an architecture in which they can be made secure. 
Vimalkumar Jeyakumar, Mohammad Alizadeh, Yilong Geng, Changhoon Kim,   and David Mazi\`eres
cs.NI