Freedom251 › Network Testing Software
Pktgen-DPDK
What Pktgen-DPDK is
Pktgen-DPDK is a free, self-hosted traffic generator built on DPDK for repeatable performance and functional packet tests. It can generate traffic across multiple ports and cores, and the project describes wire-rate generation with 64-byte frames when hardware and core count permit. Traffic modes include packet sequences, ranges, random traffic, pcap replay, and latency. Supported protocols are IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U. For measurement, it provides latency and jitter readings, per-queue statistics, and extended statistics pages. Operation is available through an interactive console, Lua scripts, or a remote TCP socket that defaults to port 22022. A plugin architecture offers an extension path, while packet capture and pcap dumping support traffic work. The documented build requires DPDK, libbsd, configured hugepages, a NIC bound to a supported UIO driver, and Python 3 for helper scripts; Ubuntu 22.04 or later is listed as a typical Linux environment. Pktgen-DPDK uses the BSD-3-Clause license. The repository identifies Keith Wiles at Intel Corporation as its creator and maintainer, with community contributions. Bug reports and feature requests are handled through GitHub issues.
Who it suits
Pktgen-DPDK suits network engineers and developers who need repeatable packet performance or functional testing on Linux systems. It is particularly relevant for users comfortable with a self-hosted DPDK setup and its hardware and driver requirements.
What it does well
- Free and BSD-3-Clause licensed.
- Supports multiple ports and cores for traffic generation.
- Offers several traffic modes, including pcap replay and latency.
- Measures latency and jitter, with per-queue statistics.
- Can be controlled by console, Lua scripts, or remote TCP socket.
What to know first
- Requires DPDK, libbsd, configured hugepages, and a supported NIC driver.
- Wire-rate 64-byte generation depends on hardware and core count.
- The documented environment is Linux-based.
Limits
Wire-rate generation with 64-byte frames depends on the available hardware and core count.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pktgen-DPDK | BSD-3-Clause licensed · wire-rate transmission depends on hardware and core count | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Pktgen-DPDK GitHub repository.
- Prepare a Linux environment; Ubuntu 22.04 or later is a typical option.
- Install or configure DPDK, libbsd, hugepages, and Python 3 for helper scripts.
- Bind a NIC to a supported UIO driver.
- Build and operate the tool using its interactive console, Lua scripts, or remote TCP socket.
Verdict
Choose Pktgen-DPDK if you need a free, self-hosted packet generator with varied traffic modes and measurement options. Look elsewhere if your environment cannot meet its DPDK, hugepages, NIC, and driver requirements.
Questions
How much does Pktgen-DPDK cost?
It is free under the BSD-3-Clause license.
What platforms does it support?
It is a self-hosted Linux tool; Ubuntu 22.04 or later is given as a typical environment.
Is Pktgen-DPDK open source?
Yes. The repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause.
Which protocols does it support?
It supports IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U.
How can users control it?
Users can use an interactive console, Lua scripts, or a remote TCP socket that defaults to port 22022.
Who maintains Pktgen-DPDK?
The repository identifies Keith Wiles at Intel Corporation as creator and maintainer, with community contributions.
Facts from Pktgen-DPDK's own pages
- Automation
- Users can control Pktgen through an interactive console, Lua scripts, or a remote TCP socket that defaults to port 22022. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- The documented setup uses DPDK, libbsd, configured hugepages, a NIC bound to a supported UIO driver, and Python 3 for helper scripts. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project includes a plugin architecture and supports packet capture and pcap dumping. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2010 · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Linux guidance
- The quick start lists Ubuntu 22.04 or later as a typical environment. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The repository says Pktgen was created and is maintained by Keith Wiles at Intel Corporation, with community contributions. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Measurements
- It provides latency and jitter measurement, per-queue statistics, and extended statistics pages. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The project describes wire-rate packet generation with 64-byte frames, subject to hardware and core count. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pktgen is a multi-port, multi-core traffic generator built on DPDK for repeatable performance and functional packet tests. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports and feature requests and asks for version, DPDK build, NIC, driver, and reproduction details. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Traffic modes
- Modes include packet sequence, range, random, pcap replay, and latency. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Pktgen-DPDK stands on Freedom251
- Network Testing Software#23 of 33