Pktgen-DPDK
Pktgen-DPDK is free, self-hosted Linux software for repeatable performance and functional packet testing.
What Pktgen-DPDK is
Pktgen-DPDK is free, self-hosted Linux software for repeatable performance and functional packet testing. Built on DPDK, it generates traffic across multiple ports and cores, with wire-rate 64-byte frame generation described as dependent on hardware and core count. Supported protocols are IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U. Traffic modes include packet sequences, ranges, random generation, pcap replay, and latency. Measurements cover latency, jitter, 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 supports extensions, and packet capture with pcap dumping is included. Setup requires DPDK, libbsd, configured hugepages, a NIC bound to a supported UIO driver, and Python 3 helper scripts. Ubuntu 22.04 or later is listed as a typical environment. The repository uses the BSD-3-Clause license.
Good
- Free BSD-3-Clause license
- Multiple traffic generation modes
- Latency, jitter, and queue statistics
- Console, Lua, and TCP control
- Supports IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, GTP-U
Watch out
- Requires DPDK and configured hugepages
- Needs NIC bound to supported UIO driver
- Wire-rate output depends on hardware and core count
- Linux self-hosted deployment only
Who it suits
Pktgen-DPDK suits Linux users who need configurable packet generation and measurements on self-hosted hardware. It is relevant for performance and functional network testing.
Verdict
Pktgen-DPDK offers broad protocol coverage and several control methods for packet testing. Its hardware, driver, and DPDK requirements make setup a technical task.
Plans and prices
From Pktgen-DPDK's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Pktgen-DPDK | Free | BSD-3-Clause licensed · wire-rate transmission depends on hardware and core count |
The facts
Each one read from Pktgen-DPDK's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- Users can control Pktgen through an interactive console, Lua scripts, or a remote TCP socket that defaults to port 22022.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The project includes a plugin architecture and supports packet capture and pcap dumping.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The repository says Pktgen was created and is maintained by Keith Wiles at Intel Corporation, with community contributions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Measurements
- It provides latency and jitter measurement, per-queue statistics, and extended statistics pages.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The project describes wire-rate packet generation with 64-byte frames, subject to hardware and core count.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Pktgen is a multi-port, multi-core traffic generator built on DPDK for repeatable performance and functional packet tests.checked 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.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Traffic modes
- Modes include packet sequence, range, random, pcap replay, and latency.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2010checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Linux guidance
- The quick start lists Ubuntu 22.04 or later as a typical environment.checked 7 Oct 2026
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