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FD.io

FD.Inference Orchestrator (IO) (Fast Data Project) is an open-source software platform for high-performance software-based packet processing and networking dataplane functions (network infrastructure).

  • Modular dataplane software stack for high-throughput, low-latency packet processing (network infrastructure)
  • Vector Packet Processing (VPP) core engine for user-space L3–L4 forwarding and network functions (virtual networking)
  • Plug-in architecture for L2–L7 services, encapsulations, and tunneling mechanisms (network services)
  • APIs and integration points for orchestration, management, and control-plane frameworks (infrastructure automation)
  • Support for deployment in virtual machines, containers, and bare-metal environments (cloud and data center networking)

More About FD.io

FD.IO (Fast Data Project) is an open-source project under LF Networking that focuses on software-based, high-throughput dataplane networking (network infrastructure). It targets use cases where packet processing performance, efficiency, and flexibility are required in software rather than hardware appliances. FD.IO provides a framework and components that can be deployed in virtualized, containerized, and bare-metal environments to implement routing, switching, and network services in software.

The core component of FD.IO is Vector Packet Processing, or Virtual Power Plant (VPP) (virtual networking), which is a userspace packet processing engine designed to handle packets in batches using vector processing techniques. VPP provides a modular graph-based processing pipeline where nodes implement functions such as IPv4 and IPv6 forwarding, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) handling, tunneling, and various encapsulation methods (network services). This architecture allows operators and developers to combine and extend dataplane functions through plug-ins and configuration rather than fixed hardware logic.

FD.IO exposes APIs for programmatic control and integration with higher-level orchestration systems (infrastructure automation). These interfaces allow control-plane components or orchestration platforms to configure interfaces, routing tables, policies, and services dynamically. The project aligns with virtualized network functions (NFV) and cloud networking patterns by enabling dataplane functions to run on commodity servers in virtual machines or containers, supporting deployment in cloud, edge, and data center environments (cloud and edge networking).

In enterprise and service provider environments, FD.IO can be used as a foundation for software routers, virtual Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), service chaining, and overlay network endpoints (network infrastructure). The VPP data plane can serve as the packet processing engine under Software Defined Networking (SDN) controllers or MANO frameworks, where the controller provides policies and routes and FD.IO executes those decisions at line-rate in software. This enables integration with existing IP/MPLS networks, data center fabrics, and overlay technologies through its support for common encapsulations and protocols.

FD.IO is structured as an extensible ecosystem with a plug-in model and multiple projects building around the VPP core (platform framework). Modules can add features such as new encapsulations, telemetry export, interface types, or hardware acceleration bindings. For an enterprise technical catalog, FD.IO fits into categories including software dataplane platforms, SDN/NFV data plane engines, and virtualized routing and switching frameworks. Its design addresses scenarios where organizations need programmable, high-performance network data planes implemented in software on commodity infrastructure.