A semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method, which specifies data transmission requirements by carrying an extension field in a data packet sent by a data sending end, actively triggers network measurement of a specified network node, and finally allows the device / administrator to provide a link that better meets its own needs for subsequent traffic, so as to improve network quality and meet personalized needs. The method of the present invention does not require changing the existing network infrastructure, but only needs to change the implementation of the business software, that is, to add an extension header to the data packet, and to modify the network management software to support this feature, which can well respond to the advanced customization requirements of the client, such as fast measurement of the link, and has strong customization, can transmit user data according to user requirements, and perform deeper scheduling and optimization of the forwarding of the data packet in the process of forwarding the data packet, so as to expand and optimize the existing SR.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of network traffic scheduling, and in particular to a semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method. Background Art

[0002] With the development of technologies such as the Internet of Things, cloud computing, edge computing, and 5G, as well as the acceleration and deepening of the digitalization process in major industries, network traffic has exploded, the network scale has become larger and larger, and the network infrastructure has become more and more complex. In order to better manage and use the network, Software Defined Network (SDN) and Segment Routing (SR) have been increasingly widely used, with advantages such as high flexibility, high performance, simplified routing, strong programmability, and easy management and deployment. However, SR is limited in scalability and other aspects: for example, in complex networks and cross-domain situations, it may be limited by the scale of the network. Although it can provide multiple selection paths, it is difficult to ensure load balancing of all paths. At the same time, SR is also difficult to respond to some high-level personalized needs.

[0003] In the existing method, the SR policy manages the forwarding path on the ingress node, and the candidate path of the SR policy represents a specific way to transmit traffic from the corresponding SR policy headend to the endpoint. Each candidate path (Candidate Path) has a preference value, and the higher the preference value of the path, the more preferred it is; CN109495385A discloses a network traffic scheduling method for implementing a discontinuous segment routing domain, by selecting some device nodes that support Segment Routing in the Underlay network to form an Overlay network, and the SID-based label forwarding only needs to be completed on the Overlay, and the outer layer performs IP routing through the GRE tunnel, shielding the implementation of the underlying network. CN114448868A discloses a path scheduling method, device and equipment based on a segment routing strategy, which determines the first target segment list set to be scheduled in the backbone network according to the current scheduling target, copies the first target segment list set to obtain the second target segment list set, and stores the second target segment list set in a pre-built mirror system to schedule the second target segment list in the mirror system. CN114363235A discloses a technology for calculating a segment identifier list of multiple paths in a network enabled with segment routing, which is a segment identifier (SID) list for each path in a multipath solution; CN112511427A discloses a segment routing service processing method, apparatus, routing device and storage medium, which obtain service attribute information of a target node and send a notification message containing the service attribute information to a second SR node; CN114363250A discloses a method for recalculating multiple paths in a network supporting segment routing, which mainly relates to a method for recalculating multiple paths in a network supporting segment routing.

[0004] However, the above existing methods mainly optimize information such as labels and paths. Network equipment and administrators cannot respond well to the client's advanced customization requirements, such as fast measurement of links, nor can they perform deeper scheduling and optimization of data packet forwarding during the data packet forwarding process. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method, which actively triggers network measurement of designated network nodes by carrying an extended field (tag) in the data packet sent by the data sending end, and finally allows the device / administrator to provide a link that better meets its own needs for subsequent traffic to improve network quality and meet personalized needs.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention provides a semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method, comprising the following steps:

[0008] S1. When the client transmits data, according to the network transmission requirements, the specified tag information is added to the packet header. The tag information at least includes the network transmission requirements and the update flag. After constructing the data packet, the client sends the data packet to the SR router. The network transmission requirements include but are not limited to delay-sensitive scenarios, bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, and load-balancing scenarios. The update flag includes but is not limited to immediate update and periodic update.

[0009] S2. After the SR router receives a data packet containing the specified tag information, if the update flag in the tag is immediate update, the SR router measures the network reaching the destination according to the network transmission requirements in the tag information, and records the measurement results locally after obtaining them.

[0010] S3. After the network measurement is completed or the update flag in the tag information of the client is not updated immediately, the SR router forwards the data packet.

[0011] Furthermore, in step S1, if the transmission requirement of the client needs to be changed, the update flag in the tag information is set to update immediately before sending the data packet, and then the data packet is sent.

[0012] Furthermore, in step S1, in a delay-sensitive scenario, the client sets the network transmission demand as time-sensitive during data transmission, sets the update flag to periodic update, and specifies the update period in the extended packet header; after receiving the data packet, the SR router writes the information into the measurement table, and periodically measures the target address according to the demand. If the SR router does not receive a data packet with the same demand from the client within multiple cycles, it stops performing network measurements until the client sends a new demand.

[0013] Furthermore, in bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, the client sets the network transmission demand as bandwidth-sensitive during data transmission. After receiving the data packet, the SR router completes the forwarding of the data packet according to the administrator's settings. If there is no corresponding setting, it actively measures the bandwidth according to the set network restrictions and completes the forwarding.

[0014] Furthermore, in a load balancing scenario, the client sets the network transmission requirement to load balancing during data transmission and then sends the data. When the SR router receives the data sent by the client, it forwards the client's data packets using load balancing if there are multiple network paths.

[0015] Furthermore, in step S3, when the SR router forwards the data packet, the SR router first checks the next label:

[0016] If the address corresponding to the next label does not need to use a new label, the data packet is directly forwarded, and the exit is the exit in the network measurement table;

[0017] If a new label is needed to reach the address corresponding to the next label, after the local label is popped out, a new label is inserted according to the network measurement result and the data packet is forwarded.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method proposed in the present invention specifies the data transmission requirements by carrying an extension field in the data packet sent by the data sending end, actively triggers the network measurement of the specified network node, and finally allows the device / administrator to provide a link that better meets its own needs for subsequent traffic, so as to improve the network quality and meet personalized needs. The method of the present invention does not require changes to the existing network infrastructure, but only needs to change the implementation of the business software, that is, to add an extension header to the data packet, and modify the network management software to support this feature. It can well respond to the advanced customization requirements of the client, such as fast measurement of the link, and has strong customization. It can transmit user data according to user needs, and perform deeper scheduling and optimization of the forwarding of the data packet in the process of forwarding the data packet, so as to expand and optimize the existing SR. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 A flow chart of a semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to better understand the technical solution, the technical solution in the embodiment of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiment of the present invention. Obviously, the described examples are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on this application belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method proposed by the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the following steps are included:

[0024] S1. The client adds tag information

[0025] When the client transmits data, it needs to clarify the network transmission requirements of the data packet and subsequent data packets sent to the same / similar destination address, such as high bandwidth, low latency, etc. Then, according to the network transmission requirements, add specified tag information in the data packet header. The tag information contains at least two parts, namely the network transmission requirements and the update flag. After constructing the data packet, the client sends the data packet to the SR router.

[0026] Among them, network transmission requirements include but are not limited to delay-sensitive scenarios, bandwidth-sensitive scenarios and load-balancing scenarios; update flags include but are not limited to immediate updates and periodic updates.

[0027] S2 and SR routers perform network measurements

[0028] After the SR router receives a data packet containing the specified tag information, if the update flag in the tag is updated immediately, the SR router measures the network reaching the destination according to the network transmission requirements in the tag information (such as using the ICMP protocol to measure the round-trip time), and records the measurement results (routing information) locally after obtaining the measurement results.

[0029] S3, SR router forwards data packets

[0030] After the network measurement is completed or the update flag in the tag information of the client is not updated immediately, the SR router forwards the data packet.

[0031] When the SR router forwards a data packet, it first checks the next label:

[0032] If the address corresponding to the next label does not need to use a new label, the data packet is directly forwarded, and the exit is the exit in the network measurement table;

[0033] If a new label is needed to reach the address corresponding to the next label, after the local label is popped out, a new label is inserted according to the network measurement result and the data packet is forwarded.

[0034] If the client's transmission requirements need to be changed, the update flag in the tag information is set to update immediately before sending the data packet, and then the data packet is sent.

[0035] Example 1 Data transmission in a delay-sensitive scenario

[0036] In this scenario, the data transmitted by the client is more sensitive to latency, while the detection latency has a lower impact on the network. Therefore, the client sets the network transmission requirement to time-sensitive when sending data, sets the update flag to periodic update, and specifies the update period in the extended packet header.

[0037] For example, the last bit of the header is set to 1, indicating that there is an extended header, and then an extended header is added after the header. The extended header includes the header length, content, and whether there is the next header. Here, the content is set to type equal to the update period, and value equal to the update period.

[0038] After receiving a data packet, the SR router writes the information into the measurement table (the measurement table header may include the destination address, port, measurement method, and measurement value), and periodically measures the destination address according to demand. For example, when the measurement method is round-trip time, the router periodically measures the round-trip time from different ports to the destination address according to the destination address, and records the time in the measurement table. In order to save resources, if the SR router does not receive a data packet with the same demand from the client within multiple cycles, it will stop network measurement until the client sends a new demand.

[0039] Example 2 Data transmission in bandwidth-sensitive scenarios

[0040] In this scenario, bandwidth measurement may consume a lot of network resources, and network bandwidth changes relatively slowly, so it can be completed by reading the administrator's settings, that is, the client sets the network transmission demand to bandwidth-sensitive during data transmission. After receiving the data packet, the SR router completes the forwarding of the data packet according to the administrator's settings. If there is no corresponding setting, it will actively measure the bandwidth according to the set network restrictions (such as the minimum bandwidth requirement) and complete the forwarding. For example, after the device is installed, the administrator will set the speed of different ports. Therefore, in this scenario, the router can select the interface according to the administrator's settings. If the router has a bandwidth measurement function, it can directly measure the bandwidth from different ports to the target address through this function. Otherwise, it can call a third-party library, such as using iperf on a third-party device to measure the bandwidth of the target address and write the measurement results to the measurement table.

[0041] Example 3 Data transmission in a load balancing scenario

[0042] In this scenario, the client sets the network transmission requirement to load balancing and then sends the data. When the SR router receives the data sent by the client, it does not need to perform network measurement. In the case of multiple network paths, it uses load balancing to forward the client's data packets.

[0043] Example 4 Data transmission in other scenarios

[0044] By setting more types of tags between the client and the SR router and management device, more types of personalized transmission requirements can be met, such as executing different strategies according to different time periods, using designated operator lines, using the most economical lines, or using the most idle ports.

[0045] The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method proposed in the present invention specifies the data transmission requirements by carrying an extension field in the data packet sent by the data sending end, actively triggers the network measurement of the specified network node, and finally allows the device / administrator to provide a link that better meets its own needs for subsequent traffic, so as to improve the network quality and meet personalized needs. The method of the present invention does not require changes to the existing network infrastructure, but only needs to change the implementation of the business software, that is, to add an extension header to the data packet, and modify the network management software to support this feature. It can well respond to the advanced customization requirements of the client, such as fast measurement of the link, and has strong customization. It can transmit user data according to user needs, and perform deeper scheduling and optimization of the forwarding of the data packet in the process of forwarding the data packet, so as to expand and optimize the existing SR.

[0046] The above description is only a detailed description of the preferred embodiments and principles of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention based on the ideas provided by the present invention shall be deemed as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method, characterized in that: The steps include: S1. When the client transmits data, according to the network transmission requirements, the specified tag information is added to the packet header. The tag information at least includes the network transmission requirements and the update flag. After constructing the data packet, the client sends the data packet to the SR router. The network transmission requirements include but are not limited to delay-sensitive scenarios, bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, and load-balancing scenarios. The update flag includes but is not limited to immediate update and periodic update. S2. After the SR router receives a data packet containing the specified tag information, if the update flag in the tag is immediate update, the SR router measures the network reaching the destination according to the network transmission requirements in the tag information, and records the measurement results locally after obtaining them. S3. After the network measurement is completed or the update flag in the tag information of the client is not updated immediately, the SR router forwards the data packet.

2. The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, if the transmission requirement of the client needs to be changed, the update flag in the tag information is set to update immediately before sending the data packet, and then the data packet is sent.

3. The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, in a delay-sensitive scenario, the client sets the network transmission demand to time-sensitive during data transmission, sets the update flag to periodic update, and specifies the update period in the extended packet header; after receiving the data packet, the SR router writes the information into the measurement table and periodically measures the target address according to the demand. If the SR router does not receive a data packet with the same demand from the client within multiple cycles, it stops performing network measurements until the client sends a new demand.

4. The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In bandwidth-sensitive scenarios, the client sets the network transmission requirement to bandwidth-sensitive during data transmission. After receiving the data packet, the SR router completes the forwarding of the data packet according to the administrator's settings. If there is no corresponding setting, it actively measures the bandwidth according to the set network restrictions and completes the forwarding.

5. The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the load balancing scenario, the client sets the network transmission requirement to load balancing and then sends the data. When the SR router receives the data sent by the client, it forwards the client's data packets using load balancing if there are multiple network paths.

6. The semi-automatic segment routing scheduling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S3: During the process of forwarding the data packet by the SR router, the SR router first checks the next label: If the address corresponding to the next label does not need to use a new label, the data packet is directly forwarded, and the exit is the exit in the network measurement table; If a new label is needed to reach the address corresponding to the next label, after the local label is popped out, a new label is inserted according to the network measurement result and the data packet is forwarded.

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