A Brand New Linux Network Stack Proposed: Linux XIA

A brand new networking stack is seeking to be merged into the mainline Linux kernel that's been under development for the past few years. Hello, Linux XIA.

Linux XIA is described by its developers as "a new network stack that emphasizes evolvability and interoperability, for a couple of years, and it has now reached a degree of maturity that allows others to experiment with it. In addition to the kernel implementation, we have a userland tool to set up the stack, a Wireshark fork with extensions for XIA packets, an implemented solution to interoperate with IPv4 networks, forwarding performance evaluation of our code, support for Linux containers, and an exemplifying demo; all documented on our wiki."

While this new Linux XIA stack is being proposed for merging, its admitted to not yet be mature enough for production use but with more broad testing and feedback they hope to get this code into shape. Initially the developers are hoping to merge Linux XIA into the staging tree, which could come as soon as Linux 4.1 if all goes well and the upstream developers are happy with this new networking stack.

Linux XIA has been developed in part at Boston University over the past few years and has been the subject of a PhD thesis. XIA stands for the eXpressive Internet Architecture. For those into networking that want to learn the ins and outs of this new networking code, see the Linux XIA Wiki and in particular the XIA 101 page. The Wiki pages are very exhaustive and do a great job covering all the XIA details.

So far on the kernel mailing list thread there's skepticism from upstream developers about having more of the code worked out first and whether the staging area is an acceptable area for a huge chunk of networking code. It will be interesting to hear about Linux XIA once there's been a full review especially as companies like Facebook have been hiring to make Linux networking better.