MLRsearch Tests

Overview

Multiple Loss Rate search (MLRsearch) tests use new search algorithm implemented in FD.io CSIT project. MLRsearch discovers any number of packet throughput rates in a single search, with each rate associated with a different Packet Loss Ratio (PLR) criteria.

Two throughput rates of interest in FD.io CSIT are Non-Drop Rate (NDR, with zero packet loss, PLR=0) and Partial Drop Rate (PDR, with packet loss rate not greater than the configured non-zero PLR, currently 0.5%).

MLRsearch discovers all the rates in a single pass, reducing required time duration compared to separate `binary search`_es for each rate. Overall search time is reduced even further by relying on shorter trial durations of intermediate steps, with only the final measurements conducted at the specified final trial duration. This results in the shorter overall execution time when compared to standard NDR/PDR binary search, while guaranteeing similar results.

Note

All throughput rates are always bi-directional aggregates of two equal (symmetric) uni-directional packet rates received and reported by an external traffic generator.

Search Implementation

Detailed description of the MLRsearch algorithm is included in the IETF draft draft-ietf-bmwg-mlrsearch-01 that is in the process of being standardized in the IETF Benchmarking Methodology Working Group (BMWG).

MLRsearch is also available as a PyPI (Python Package Index) library.

Implementation Deviations

FD.io CSIT implementation of MLRsearch is currently fully based on the -01` version of the draft-ietf-bmwg-mlrsearch, the PyPI version is slightly older.