IS it possible to use dpdk without kernel modules?

Question

Is there a way to use dpdk without igb_uio module or other kni, vfio modules ? also without the uio_pci_generic module ?

I mean can dpdk just work fine with the normal (kernel space drivers) like ixgbe directly.

I have tried binding 2 interfaces with ixgbe using dpdk's dev-bind python script:

Network devices using kernel driver
===================================
0000:04:00.0 '82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection 10fb' if=p3p1 drv=ixgbe unused=uio_pci_generic
0000:04:00.1 '82599ES 10-Gigabit SFI/SFP+ Network Connection 10fb' if=p3p2 drv=ixgbe unused=uio_pci_generic

But my app exited with the following fatal error:

rte_eth_dev_count_avail() returned 0

Thank you

Answer 1

One can use DPDK without kernel by using PMD for TAP/TUN/PCAP/XDP. In these scenarios neither uio_pci_generic/igb_uio/vfio-pci or DPDK KNI not used. Hence without DPDK kernel modules one can run for interfaces.

For your particular use case where NIC is using ixgbe, please use AF_PAACKET/AF_XDP mode.