feat: Add top-level Flow Controller (kubernetes-sigs#1525)

* feat(flowcontrol): Refactor FlowRegistry contracts

This commit refactors some of the core Flow Control contracts to improve
clarity and better align with their intended roles. The goal is to
create a more intuitive and robust interface for the upcoming top-level
FlowController.

Key changes include:

- The `FlowRegistryClient` interface is renamed to
  `FlowRegistryDataPlane` to more accurately reflect its role in the
  high-throughput request path.
- The `FlowRegistryAdmin` interface is renamed to `FlowRegistryObserver`
  to clarify its read-only, observational nature.
- The `ActiveFlowConnection.Shards()` method is renamed to
  `ActiveFlowConnection.ActiveShards()` to make it explicit that it
  returns only active, schedulable shards. This removes ambiguity for
  the distributor logic.
- `ShardStats` is enriched with `ID` and `IsActive` fields, providing
  consumers with more context about the shard's state at the time the
  snapshot was taken.
- The registry implementation has been updated to match these new
  contract definitions.

* refactor: Adapt ShardProcessor to a worker role

This commit refactors the `ShardProcessor` to function as a stateful
worker managed by a higher-level supervisor. This is a preparatory step
for the introduction of the new top-level `FlowController`.

The public API of the processor is changed from a direct `Enqueue`
method to a more sophisticated, channel-based submission model with
`Submit` (non-blocking) and `SubmitOrBlock` (blocking). This decouples
the producer from the processor's main loop, enabling better
backpressure signals and higher throughput.

Key changes include:

- Introduction of `Submit` and `SubmitOrBlock` for asynchronous request
  handoff.
- `FlowItem`'s finalization logic is improved to be more robust and
  channel-based.
- Error handling within the dispatch cycle is refactored (no logic
  change) to be more clear about how it promotes work conservation by
  isolating failures to a single priority band.

* feat: Introduce the FlowController supervisor

This commit introduces the `FlowController`, a high-throughput, sharded
supervisor that orchestrates a pool of stateful `ShardProcessor`
workers. This new component is the central processing engine of the Flow
Control system, implementing a "supervisor-worker" pattern.

Key features of the `FlowController` include:

- Supervisor-Worker Architecture: Acts as a stateless supervisor,
  managing the lifecycle of stateful `ShardProcessor` workers. It
  includes a reconciliation loop to garbage-collect workers for stale
  shards.
- Flow-Aware Load Balancing: Implements a "Join-Shortest-Queue-by-Bytes"
  (JSQ-Bytes) algorithm to distribute incoming requests to the
  least-loaded worker, promoting emergent fairness.
- Synchronous API: Exposes a blocking `EnqueueAndWait` method, which
  simplifies client integration (e.g., with Envoy `ext_proc`) and
  provides direct backpressure.
- Lazy Worker Initialization: Workers are created on-demand when a shard
  shard first becomes active to conserve resources and reduce contention
  on the hot path.
- Configuration: A new `Config` object allows for tuning parameters like
  TTLs, buffer sizes, and reconciliation intervals.

* docs: Update comments to align with FlowController

This commit updates documentation and code comments across various
framework components to align with the concepts and architecture
introduced by the `FlowController`.

Key changes include:

- FCFS Policy: Clarified the distinction between "logical" and
  "physical" enqueue time and the behavioral trade-offs when pairing
  with different queue capabilities.
- ListQueue: Expanded the documentation to explain its role as a
  high-performance, approximate FCFS queue in the context of the
  `FlowController`'s retry mechanics.
- Request Types: Refined the comments for `QueueItemAccessor` to be more
  precise about the meaning of `EnqueueTime`.

* refactor Simplify controller Lifecycle

This commit refactors the `FlowController` to simplify its startup and
shutdown lifecycle, making it more robust and easier to reason about.
It also incorporates several smaller improvements based on reviewer
feedback.

The primary change addresses a complex lifecycle implementation that
used an `atomic.Bool` (`isRunning`) and a `ready` channel to manage
state.

Key changes:

- **Simplified Lifecycle:** The controller's lifecycle is now tied
  directly to a `context` passed into `NewFlowController`. The `Run`
  method has been unexported, and the main `run` loop is started as a
  goroutine from the constructor. This eliminates the `ready` channel
  and `isRunning` flag in addition to simplifying the interface for
  callers.
- **Robust Worker Creation:** The `getOrStartWorker` logic has been
  improved to ensure that in a race to create a worker, the "losing"
  goroutine correctly cleans up its resources and does not start a
  redundant processor. This fixes a bug where the losing worker would
  evict all items from its queues on shutdown which were shared
  instances with the winning worker resulting in premature request
  finalization.
- **Comment Reduction:** The extensive explanatory comments in
  `distributeRequest` have been condensed to be more concise while
  retaining the essential details of the algorithm.

- **Minor Cleanups:**
    - The initial, unnecessary call to `reconcileProcessors()` at
      startup has been removed.
    - Error messages have been clarified (e.g., "acquire lease" instead
      of "establish connection").
    - A typed error for nil requests was replaced with a standard
      `errors.New`.

Author: LukeAVanDrie

pkg/epp/flowcontrol/contracts/registry.go

@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ import (
 )
 
 // FlowRegistry is the complete interface for the global flow control plane.
-// It composes the client-facing data path interface and the administrative interface. A concrete implementation of this
-// interface is the single source of truth for all flow control state.
+// It composes all role-based interfaces. A concrete implementation of this interface is the single source of truth for
+// all flow control state.
 //
 // # Conformance: Implementations MUST be goroutine-safe.
 //
@@ -48,22 +48,21 @@ import (
 //  2. Capacity Partitioning: Global and per-band capacity limits must be uniformly partitioned across all Active
 //     shards.
 type FlowRegistry interface {
-	FlowRegistryClient
-	FlowRegistryAdmin
+	FlowRegistryObserver
+	FlowRegistryDataPlane
 }
 
-// FlowRegistryAdmin defines the administrative interface for the global control plane.
-type FlowRegistryAdmin interface {
-	// Stats returns globally aggregated statistics for the entire `FlowRegistry`.
+// FlowRegistryObserver defines the read-only, observation interface for the registry.
+type FlowRegistryObserver interface {
+	// Stats returns a near-consistent snapshot globally aggregated statistics for the entire `FlowRegistry`.
 	Stats() AggregateStats
 
-	// ShardStats returns a slice of statistics, one for each internal shard.
+	// ShardStats returns a near-consistent slice of statistics snapshots, one for each `RegistryShard`.
 	ShardStats() []ShardStats
 }
 
-// FlowRegistryClient defines the primary, client-facing interface for the registry.
-// This is the interface that the `controller.FlowController`'s data path depends upon.
-type FlowRegistryClient interface {
+// FlowRegistryDataPlane defines the high-throughput, request-path interface for the registry.
+type FlowRegistryDataPlane interface {
 	// WithConnection manages a scoped, leased session for a given flow.
 	// It is the primary and sole entry point for interacting with the data path.
 	//
@@ -90,9 +89,8 @@ type FlowRegistryClient interface {
 // Its purpose is to ensure that any interaction with the flow's state (e.g., accessing its shards and queues) occurs
 // safely while the flow is guaranteed to be protected from garbage collection.
 type ActiveFlowConnection interface {
-	// Shards returns a stable snapshot of accessors for all internal state shards (both Active and Draining).
-	// Consumers MUST check `RegistryShard.IsActive()` before routing new work to a shard from this slice.
-	Shards() []RegistryShard
+	// ActiveShards returns a stable snapshot of accessors for all Active internal state shards.
+	ActiveShards() []RegistryShard
 }
 
 // RegistryShard defines the interface for a single slice (shard) of the `FlowRegistry`'s state.
@@ -139,7 +137,7 @@ type RegistryShard interface {
 	// `controller.FlowController` worker's dispatch loop.
 	AllOrderedPriorityLevels() []int
 
-	// Stats returns a snapshot of the statistics for this specific shard.
+	// Stats returns a near consistent snapshot of the shard's state.
 	Stats() ShardStats
 }
 
@@ -162,6 +160,7 @@ type ManagedQueue interface {
 }
 
 // AggregateStats holds globally aggregated statistics for the entire `FlowRegistry`.
+// It is a read-only data object representing a near-consistent snapshot of the registry's state.
 type AggregateStats struct {
 	// TotalCapacityBytes is the globally configured maximum total byte size limit across all priority bands and shards.
 	TotalCapacityBytes uint64
@@ -173,8 +172,15 @@ type AggregateStats struct {
 	PerPriorityBandStats map[int]PriorityBandStats
 }
 
-// ShardStats holds statistics for a single internal shard within the `FlowRegistry`.
+// ShardStats holds statistics and identifying information for a `RegistryShard` within the `FlowRegistry`.
+// It is a read-only data object representing a near-consistent snapshot of the shard's state.
 type ShardStats struct {
+	// ID is the unique, stable identifier for this shard.
+	ID string
+	// IsActive indicates if the shard was accepting new work at the time this stats snapshot was generated.
+	// A value of `false` means the shard is in the process of being gracefully drained.
+	// Due to the concurrent nature of the system, this state could change immediately after the snapshot is taken.
+	IsActive bool
 	// TotalCapacityBytes is the optional, maximum total byte size limit aggregated across all priority bands within this
 	// shard. Its value represents the globally configured limit for the `FlowRegistry` partitioned for this shard.
 	// The `controller.FlowController` enforces this limit in addition to any per-band capacity limits.
@@ -192,6 +198,7 @@ type ShardStats struct {
 }
 
 // PriorityBandStats holds aggregated statistics for a single priority band.
+// It is a read-only data object representing a near-consistent snapshot of the priority band's state.
 type PriorityBandStats struct {
 	// Priority is the numerical priority level this struct describes.
 	Priority int

pkg/epp/flowcontrol/controller/config.go

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2025 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package controller
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"time"
+)
+
+const (
+	// defaultExpiryCleanupInterval is the default frequency for scanning for expired items.
+	defaultExpiryCleanupInterval = 1 * time.Second
+	// defaultProcessorReconciliationInterval is the default frequency for the supervisor loop.
+	defaultProcessorReconciliationInterval = 5 * time.Second
+	// defaultEnqueueChannelBufferSize is the default size of a worker's incoming request buffer.
+	defaultEnqueueChannelBufferSize = 100
+)
+
+// Config holds the configuration for the `FlowController`.
+type Config struct {
+	// DefaultRequestTTL is the default Time-To-Live applied to requests that do not
+	// specify their own TTL hint.
+	// Optional: If zero, no TTL is applied by default and we rely solely on request context cancellation.
+	DefaultRequestTTL time.Duration
+
+	// ExpiryCleanupInterval is the interval at which each shard processor scans its queues for expired items.
+	// Optional: Defaults to `defaultExpiryCleanupInterval` (1 second).
+	ExpiryCleanupInterval time.Duration
+
+	// ProcessorReconciliationInterval is the frequency at which the `FlowController`'s supervisor loop garbage collects
+	// stale workers.
+	// Optional: Defaults to `defaultProcessorReconciliationInterval` (5 seconds).
+	ProcessorReconciliationInterval time.Duration
+
+	// EnqueueChannelBufferSize is the size of the buffered channel that accepts incoming requests for each shard
+	// processor. This buffer acts as a shock absorber, decoupling the high-frequency distributor from the processor's
+	// serial execution loop and allowing the system to handle short bursts of traffic without blocking.
+	// Optional: Defaults to `defaultEnqueueChannelBufferSize` (100).
+	EnqueueChannelBufferSize int
+}
+
+// newConfig performs validation and initialization, returning a guaranteed-valid `Config` object.
+// This is the required constructor for creating a new configuration.
+// It does not mutate the input `cfg`.
+func newConfig(cfg Config) (*Config, error) {
+	newCfg := cfg.deepCopy()
+	if err := newCfg.validateAndApplyDefaults(); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return newCfg, nil
+}
+
+// validateAndApplyDefaults checks the global configuration for validity and then mutates the receiver to populate any
+// empty fields with system defaults.
+func (c *Config) validateAndApplyDefaults() error {
+	// --- Validation ---
+	if c.DefaultRequestTTL < 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("DefaultRequestTTL cannot be negative, but got %v", c.DefaultRequestTTL)
+	}
+	if c.ExpiryCleanupInterval < 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ExpiryCleanupInterval cannot be negative, but got %v", c.ExpiryCleanupInterval)
+	}
+	if c.ProcessorReconciliationInterval < 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("ProcessorReconciliationInterval cannot be negative, but got %v",
+			c.ProcessorReconciliationInterval)
+	}
+	if c.EnqueueChannelBufferSize < 0 {
+		return fmt.Errorf("EnqueueChannelBufferSize cannot be negative, but got %d", c.EnqueueChannelBufferSize)
+	}
+
+	// --- Defaulting ---
+	if c.ExpiryCleanupInterval == 0 {
+		c.ExpiryCleanupInterval = defaultExpiryCleanupInterval
+	}
+	if c.ProcessorReconciliationInterval == 0 {
+		c.ProcessorReconciliationInterval = defaultProcessorReconciliationInterval
+	}
+	if c.EnqueueChannelBufferSize == 0 {
+		c.EnqueueChannelBufferSize = defaultEnqueueChannelBufferSize
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
+// deepCopy creates a deep copy of the `Config` object.
+func (c *Config) deepCopy() *Config {
+	if c == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	newCfg := &Config{
+		DefaultRequestTTL:               c.DefaultRequestTTL,
+		ExpiryCleanupInterval:           c.ExpiryCleanupInterval,
+		ProcessorReconciliationInterval: c.ProcessorReconciliationInterval,
+		EnqueueChannelBufferSize:        c.EnqueueChannelBufferSize,
+	}
+	return newCfg
+}

pkg/epp/flowcontrol/controller/config_test.go

@@ -0,0 +1,135 @@
+/*
+Copyright 2025 The Kubernetes Authors.
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+package controller
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestNewConfig(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	testCases := []struct {
+		name          string
+		input         Config
+		expectErr     bool
+		expectedCfg   Config
+		shouldDefault bool
+	}{
+		{
+			name: "ValidConfig_NoChanges",
+			input: Config{
+				DefaultRequestTTL:               10 * time.Second,
+				ExpiryCleanupInterval:           2 * time.Second,
+				ProcessorReconciliationInterval: 10 * time.Second,
+				EnqueueChannelBufferSize:        200,
+			},
+			expectErr: false,
+			expectedCfg: Config{
+				DefaultRequestTTL:               10 * time.Second,
+				ExpiryCleanupInterval:           2 * time.Second,
+				ProcessorReconciliationInterval: 10 * time.Second,
+				EnqueueChannelBufferSize:        200,
+			},
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "EmptyConfig_ShouldApplyDefaults",
+			input:     Config{},
+			expectErr: false,
+			expectedCfg: Config{
+				DefaultRequestTTL:               0,
+				ExpiryCleanupInterval:           defaultExpiryCleanupInterval,
+				ProcessorReconciliationInterval: defaultProcessorReconciliationInterval,
+				EnqueueChannelBufferSize:        defaultEnqueueChannelBufferSize,
+			},
+			shouldDefault: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "NegativeDefaultRequestTTL_Invalid",
+			input:     Config{DefaultRequestTTL: -1},
+			expectErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "NegativeExpiryCleanupInterval_Invalid",
+			input:     Config{ExpiryCleanupInterval: -1},
+			expectErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "NegativeProcessorReconciliationInterval_Invalid",
+			input:     Config{ProcessorReconciliationInterval: -1},
+			expectErr: true,
+		},
+		{
+			name:      "NegativeEnqueueChannelBufferSize_Invalid",
+			input:     Config{EnqueueChannelBufferSize: -1},
+			expectErr: true,
+		},
+	}
+
+	for _, tc := range testCases {
+		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Parallel()
+			originalInput := tc.input.deepCopy()
+			validatedCfg, err := newConfig(tc.input)
+
+			if tc.expectErr {
+				require.Error(t, err, "expected an error but got nil")
+				assert.Nil(t, validatedCfg, "validatedCfg should be nil on error")
+			} else {
+				require.NoError(t, err, "expected no error but got: %v", err)
+				require.NotNil(t, validatedCfg, "validatedCfg should not be nil on success")
+				assert.Equal(t, tc.expectedCfg, *validatedCfg, "validatedCfg should match expected config")
+
+				// Ensure the original config is not mutated.
+				assert.Equal(t, *originalInput, tc.input, "input config should not be mutated")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestConfig_DeepCopy(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	t.Run("ShouldReturnNil_ForNilReceiver", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		var nilConfig *Config
+		assert.Nil(t, nilConfig.deepCopy(), "Deep copy of a nil config should be nil")
+	})
+
+	t.Run("ShouldCreateIdenticalButSeparateObject", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Parallel()
+		original := &Config{
+			DefaultRequestTTL:               1 * time.Second,
+			ExpiryCleanupInterval:           2 * time.Second,
+			ProcessorReconciliationInterval: 3 * time.Second,
+			EnqueueChannelBufferSize:        4,
+		}
+		clone := original.deepCopy()
+
+		require.NotSame(t, original, clone, "Clone should be a new object in memory")
+		assert.Equal(t, *original, *clone, "Cloned object should have identical values")
+
+		// Modify the clone and ensure the original is unchanged.
+		clone.DefaultRequestTTL = 99 * time.Second
+		assert.NotEqual(t, original.DefaultRequestTTL, clone.DefaultRequestTTL,
+			"Original should not be mutated after clone is changed")
+	})
+}