NERV: A constraint-free network resources manager for virtualized environments

In this work, we present NERV, a constraint free network resource manager for virtualized environments capable of supporting multiple network architectures simultaneously. Using a protocol agnostic forwarding element, programmed with the P4 language, and the design principles of MicroServices architectures, we built a framework composed of small applications, each one responsible for manipulating a group of resources of the network, allowing the implementation of different policies to manage systems with different protocol stacks and control strategies. Also, we promote the reuse of these applications creating a Standard API that expose generic functions to manipulate network resources, permitting the combination of low-level applications to compose high-level network manipulation services.