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Network Languages · hard

4. P4 Language (Programming Protocol-Independent Packet Processors)

Domain-specific programming for software-defined data planes.

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P4 is a domain-specific language that programs network switch hardware (ASICs like Intel Tofino, SmartNICs, FPGA routers). It defines custom packet parsers, match-action tables, and pipeline headers without modifying switch hardware microcode.

p4
parser MyParser(packet_in packet, out headers hdr) {
    state start {
        packet.extract(hdr.ethernet);
        transition select(hdr.ethernet.etherType) {
            0x0800: parse_ipv4;
            default: accept;
        }
    }
}

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Check your understanding

1. What does the P4 programming language program?
The data plane packet forwarding pipeline of network switches and SmartNICsWeb browser DOM enginesRelational database indicesCloud billing APIs
2. What are the core stages defined in a P4 program pipeline?
Parser, Match-Action Tables, DeparserCompile, Link, RunMap, Filter, ReduceFetch, Decode, Execute

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