Session

Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) has become a cornerstone for modern network programmability by embedding instructions directly into the IPv6 packet header. Standardized under IETF RFC8986, SRv6 has evolved significantly since its initial support in Linux kernel 4.10 over nine years ago. The framework’s capabilities have matured with continuous updates to kernel releases, integrating performance optimizations and feature enhancements. SRv6 employs lightweight tunnel infrastructures, such as seg6 and seg6local, and extends its support to key subsystems like Netfilter and eBPF, fostering its adoption in diverse scenarios.

Prominent open-source projects like FRR, Cilium, and SONiC leverage the Linux kernel’s SRv6 implementation for advanced networking functionalities. FRR facilitates L3VPN services and integrates SRv6 behaviors across its daemons. Cilium harnesses SRv6 with eBPF for efficient container networking, achieving high performance and observability in Kubernetes. Similarly, SONiC leverages SRv6 to deliver scalable routing services and policy management for large-scale deployments.

In the workshop, we will specifically explore how SRv6 innovations have shaped the Linux ecosystem and delve into future opportunities. We will discuss the requirements for enhancing SRv6 support in the Linux kernel, as driven by the demands of projects like SONiC. Additionally, the latest advancements in FRR will be examined to understand how they enable robust L3VPN services and extend SRv6 capabilities. The eBPF framework in Cilium, with its focus on telemetry and traffic engineering, will be highlighted to showcase how it addresses modern networking challenges in cloud-native environments. Finally, the current limitations of SRv6 in the Linux kernel will be identified, and a roadmap for improvements will be outlined to guide future contributions and collaboration within the networking community. By addressing these themes, the workshop aims to inspire discussions that will drive the next phase of SRv6’s implementation in the Linux ecosystem.