FD.io
FD.io is a Linux Foundation open-source project stewarding Vector Packet Processing (VPP), a terabit-capable software dataplane used by network equipment vendors, cloud providers, and telecom operators for 5G, cloud, and Kubernetes networking.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What FD.io does
FD.io (Fast Data Project) is an open-source collaborative project under The Linux Foundation's LF Networking umbrella, founded in February 2016 when Cisco donated its Vector Packet Processing (VPP) technology. The project develops and maintains VPP, a high-performance software dataplane that delivers terabit-level packet processing throughput (1 Tbps demonstrated on Intel Xeon Scalable processors, 480 Gbps in 24 cores) using vector instruction processing, cache optimizations, and packet pre-fetching rather than proprietary hardware ASICs. VPP runs on x86, ARM, and PowerPC architectures across bare metal, VM, and container environments, and ships with an extensible plugin architecture supporting NAT, ACL, WireGuard, IPsec, QUIC, HTTP/3, SRv6, VxLAN, and dozens of other networking functions. Adjacent projects include CSIT (Continuous System Integration and Testing) for reproducible performance benchmarking, GoVPP for Go-language API bindings, UDPI for deep packet inspection, and hICN for information-centric networking.
The project is governed by a Technical Steering Committee and operates under an open governance model with no commercial pricing. FD.io does not generate direct software revenue; the project is sustained through Linux Foundation membership fees (Platinum, Gold, Silver tiers), in-kind contributions from member organizations, and Linux Foundation infrastructure support. Its customer base is therefore defined by adopters and contributors rather than paying licensees, and includes Cisco, Intel, Huawei, Samsung, Alibaba Cloud, Google Cloud, ZTE, Marvell, AMD, Mavenir, Netgate, PANTHEON.tech, Affirmed Networks (Microsoft), Equinix, and others deploying VPP in 5G user plane functions, cloud load balancers, Kubernetes CNIs, BNGs, SD-WAN, and high-frequency trading platforms. Release cadence is approximately every six months for both VPP and CSIT.
FD.io firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FD.io
- Legal name
- The Fast Data Project, a series of LF Projects, LLC
- Website
- https://fd.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FD.io is a Linux Foundation open-source project stewarding Vector Packet Processing (VPP), a terabit-capable software dataplane used by network equipment vendors, cloud providers, and telecom operators for 5G, cloud, and Kubernetes networking.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FD.io industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Open Source Networking Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Cloud Networking & SDN/NFV Management (HDABABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Networking Core Services (VPC/VNet, Load Balancing, DNS, NAT) (HDABAAAJ), Business/Enterprise ISPs (Dedicated Internet Access) (HDAIADAB)
Keywords
Where FD.io is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
FD.io business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Open Source Project (No Direct Revenue): FD.io is a collaborative open source project under the Linux Foundation. It does not generate direct revenue from software sales. The project is sustained through membership fees from corporate sponsors (Platinum, Gold, Silver members), in-kind contributions from member organizations, and infrastructure support from the Linux Foundation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
FD.io product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FD.io is an open-source project under the Linux Foundation providing the Vector Packet Processing (VPP) software dataplane, which delivers terabit-level packet processing performance for networking functions. The core offering includes VPP for high-performance packet processing, CSIT for continuous system integration and benchmarking, and GoVPP for Go-language API bindings. The software is freely available and used by cloud providers, telecom vendors, and enterprises for routing, switching, NAT, IPsec, and other network functions.
Product overview
FD.io (Fast Data Project) is an open-source Linux Foundation project providing the world's fastest and most secure networking data plane through Vector Packet Processing (VPP). The portfolio consists of the core VPP platform delivering terabit-level packet processing performance, supported by CSIT for continuous testing and benchmarking, and GoVPP for Go-based API development. VPP operates as a universal dataplane across x86, ARM, and PowerPC architectures in bare metal, VM, and container environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vector Packet Processing (VPP): High-performance software dataplane providing terabit-level packet processing capabilities through vector packet processing technology.
- CSIT
- GoVPP
- UDPI
Products and services
- Vector Packet Processing (VPP) Core open-source software dataplane providing terabit-level packet processing using vector instruction processing, cache optimizations, and packet pre-fetching. VPP delivers high-performance switching and routing across bare metal, VMs, and containers for cloud providers, telecom vendors, and enterprises.
- CSIT (Continuous System Integration and Testing) Comprehensive testing and benchmarking framework for FD.io projects that provides reproducible performance tests, regression testing, and quality assurance across VPP releases and hardware configurations.
- GoVPP Go language bindings for VPP's binary API, enabling developers to build control plane applications in Go that interface with VPP for network management and configuration.
- UDPI (Universal Deep Packet Inspection) Reference framework for high-performance Deep Packet Inspection integrated with the VPP stack, used in IPS/IDS and Web Firewall applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Terabit-level packet throughput achieved on Intel Xeon Scalable processors (1 Tbps)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use FD.io
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FD.io technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature10 records
FD.io partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.
- UDPI Contributors (Intel, Travelping, ZTE, China Telecom, Huawei, Alibaba, etc.)supportingUniversal Deep Packet Inspection (UDPI) project launched with initial contributions from Intel and Travelping. Project grew to 17 organizations and 20 committers including ZTE, China Telecom, Huawei, Alibaba, Tencent, and others working on DPI capabilities integrated with VPP.
- HuaweicoreHuawei joined FD.io as Platinum member in December 2017, upgrading from Gold membership. Huawei is a major contributor to the project and has been involved in DPDK integration and networking innovations. Huawei representatives have contributed to the Technical Steering Committee and development efforts.
- Arm and LinarosupportingArm and Linaro joined FD.io as Silver members in September 2017. Arm provides architecture support for VPP on ARM-based processors, expanding FD.io's multi-architecture capabilities beyond x86.
- Cisco SystemscoreCisco donated the original Vector Packet Processing (VPP) code to FD.io at project inception in February 2016. Cisco engineers including Dave Barach led the initial development. Cisco continues as a major contributor and board member with David Ward serving as FD.io Board Chair.
- IntelcoreIntel has been a foundational partner in FD.io development. Intel Xeon processors are the primary platform for VPP performance optimization. Intel contributed VPP to Linux Foundation in 2016 and has continued providing architectural improvements and performance optimizations for FD.io technology.
- Linux FoundationcoreFD.io is a Collaborative Project at The Linux Foundation under LF Networking (LFN). The Linux Foundation provides governance, infrastructure, and administrative support for the project.
- Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK)coreDPDK is a core dependency of VPP providing the data plane development kit for kernel bypass networking. VPP integrates with DPDK for high-performance packet I/O and regularly updates DPDK plugin versions.
- Calico (Tigera)coreCalico/VPP is an official integration allowing Calico Kubernetes CNI to leverage VPP as its dataplane. The Calico/VPP dataplane provides high-performance Kubernetes networking with encryption support. Regular joint releases maintain VPP compatibility.
- PANTHEON.techsupportingPANTHEON.tech develops StoneWork Enterprise, a high-performance data plane built on VPP and Ligato control plane. They are active contributors to the FD.io community and provide commercial solutions based on VPP.
- MarvellsupportingMarvell Octeon 10 DPU uses VPP hardware acceleration achieving up to 5x system level performance. VPP includes native Marvell Octeon device driver support in the main release.
- SONiC (Azure/Microsoft)coreSONiC-VPP is a platform under SONiC that supports VPP data plane. Microsoft-affiliated Affirmed Networks also uses VPP for 5GCN cloud-native network functions.
- IPOQUE GmbH (Rohde & Schwarz)supportingR&S vPACE uses VPP DPI engine for application detection essential to future 5G networks. IPOQUE provides deep packet inspection capabilities integrated with VPP.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FD.io competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Open vSwitch (OVS): The leading open-source virtual switch, overlapping directly with VPP in cloud and NFV dataplane roles. OVS with DPDK acceleration competes head-on with VPP for high-performance virtual switching workloads and is the de facto incumbent VPP must displace.
- Calico (Tigera): The leading Kubernetes CNI, which has built an official VPP integration but also offers an eBPF dataplane. Calico/VPP competes for high-performance Kubernetes networking workloads and is both a partner and a competitive substitute for VPP.
- Cilium (eBPF-based networking): Cloud-native networking project using eBPF/XDP as its dataplane. Cilium is the most credible emerging alternative to Calico/VPP in Kubernetes environments and represents the most strategically significant competitive threat to VPP in the container networking segment.
- DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit): Core kernel-bypass networking library that VPP depends on. DPDK and VPP are tightly coupled technologies addressing the same problem space; alternative dataplanes (e.g., VPP vs. DPDK-native or AF_XDP) define the architectural choice for high-performance packet processing.
Broad incumbents
- Cisco Systems: Original donor of the VPP codebase and a Platinum member. Cisco is both a strategic partner and the dominant commercial networking incumbent; its enterprise routing, security, and SD-WAN portfolios overlap with the workloads VPP enables inside Cisco's own products.
- Huawei: Platinum FD.io member and major network equipment vendor. Huawei competes in 5G core, NFV, and carrier routing - precisely the workloads VPP serves - and is both a contributor to and a commercial competitor of the VPP ecosystem.
- Marvell Technology: DPU and silicon vendor whose Octeon platform integrates VPP natively for hardware-accelerated packet processing. Marvell is a partner that also competes in adjacent infrastructure silicon categories where VPP-based solutions are deployed.
- Intel Corporation: Foundational architectural partner whose Xeon processors define VPP's performance envelope. Intel contributes optimizations and is a Platinum member; its broader networking/silicon portfolio makes it both a partner and an adjacent infrastructure incumbent.
- SONiC (Azure/Microsoft): Open-source network operating system led by Microsoft, integrated with VPP via SONiC-VPP. SONiC is the broader incumbents' answer in cloud-grade switching and represents the platform layer where VPP is deployed, with overlapping but wider scope.
Emerging players
- Netgate (TNSR): Commercial vendor of TNSR high-performance secure networking software built directly on VPP. Netgate exemplifies the type of niche commercial player that monetizes VPP-derived technology for routing, firewalling, and SD-WAN in mid-market and service-provider deployments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FD.io social profiles
Digital presenceFD.io financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FD.io leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FD.io funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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FD.io M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about FD.io
What does FD.io do?
FD.io is an open-source project under the Linux Foundation providing the Vector Packet Processing (VPP) software dataplane, which delivers terabit-level packet processing performance for networking functions. The core offering includes VPP for high-performance packet processing, CSIT for continuous system integration and benchmarking, and GoVPP for Go-language API bindings. The software is freely available and used by cloud providers, telecom vendors, and enterprises for routing, switching, NAT, IPsec, and other network functions.
Is FD.io a public or private company?
FD.io is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was FD.io founded?
FD.io was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FD.io based?
FD.io is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does FD.io make money?
One revenue line is on record: open Source Project (No Direct Revenue).
Who are FD.io's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Open vSwitch (OVS), Calico (Tigera), Cilium (eBPF-based networking) and DPDK (Data Plane Development Kit). Broad incumbents are Cisco Systems, Huawei, Marvell Technology, Intel Corporation and SONiC (Azure/Microsoft). Netgate (TNSR) is listed as an emerging player.
Does FD.io have an API?
Yes. FD.io VPP provides a binary API interface for programmatic control and configuration. The API allows developers to build applications that interface with VPP for network management and control plane operations. Multiple API client libraries are available including C, C++, Go (GoVPP), and Rust. The binary API supports dynamic configuration through API messages that can add, modify, or query VPP resources. Developer documentation is at s3-docs.fd.io/vpp/26.02/interfacing/binapi/index.html.
What industry is FD.io in?
FD.io's product category is Open Source Networking Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABABAK, Private Cloud Networking & SDN/NFV Management, with a secondary code of HDABAAAJ, Cloud Networking Core Services (VPC/VNet, Load Balancing, DNS, NAT). Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 7372.