Selective Binding Segment Routing for Dynamic NSF Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems struggle to dynamically provide optimal network service functions (NSFs) tailored to diverse application services and network requirements, such as those demanded by 5G and 6G technologies, including immersive extended reality (XR), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and apparatus that utilizes a selective binding segment of segment routing (SR) to dynamically program network services by identifying a segment routing header (SRH), requesting processing from network service functions (NSFs), and selecting a segment list based on color values to ensure optimal connectivity according to service characteristics and network requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic network service programming is implemented to meet diverse service requirements, then service adaptability and quality are improved, but network complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network path is divided into multiple segments using segment routing technology, where each segment can be independently programmed and managed. The SRH (Segment Routing Header) contains a segment list that divides the end-to-end path into manageable segments, allowing dynamic selection without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A binding segment acts as an intermediary between the service requirements and the network path selection. The binding segment in the SRH mediates between the source and destination, enabling dynamic path selection based on service characteristics without requiring complex end-to-end configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If segment routing with binding segments is used for dynamic path selection, then service delivery flexibility is improved, but packet processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segment list and binding segments are pre-configured in the SRH before packet transmission. This preliminary action allows routers to make forwarding decisions based on pre-computed paths, reducing real-time processing overhead while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The binding segment information is extracted and placed in a dedicated SRH structure, separating the dynamic path selection logic from the core packet forwarding process. This extraction allows efficient handling of path selection without burdening the main forwarding path.
3Reliability
If network service functions are dynamically selected based on service characteristics, then service quality is improved, but network control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the network path are assigned different qualities and functions based on local service requirements. Each segment can be optimized for specific service characteristics (e.g., low latency, high bandwidth) without requiring complex global control, as the SRH contains local segment information.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for providing dynamic network programming based on a selective binding segment of segment routing in a communication system is provided. A method by which a first service programmable network (SPN) node operates in a communication system includes: receiving a first packet from a zeroth SPN node; identifying a segment routing header (SRH) of the first packet, the SRH including a segment list; identifying a selective binding segment based on the segment list; requesting a processing result from a network service function (NSF) corresponding to the segment list when the segment list involves the selective binding segment; receiving a color value according to the processing result from the NSF; dynamically selecting a segment list according to the color value; and transmitting a second packet, to which a new SRH including the selected segment list and a new header are added, to a second SPN node.