Classifier Service Packet Forwarding Rule Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

In communications technologies, the existing methods for service packet forwarding result in a large number of classification and forwarding rules, leading to excessive storage resource usage due to the need to set all permutations and combinations of possible target values for packet characteristics, as each service packet can only correspond to one classification rule.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a classifier generates a service packet with multiple pieces of service chain information, allowing each service packet to correspond to multiple classification rules, reducing the need for extensive rule sets by determining only some packet characteristics, and a forwarder forwards the packet based on these service chain information pieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all permutations and combinations of possible target values are set in the classification rule to cover multiple packet characteristics, then all matching conditions are included, but the entries of the classification rule and forwarding rule drastically increase, occupying large storage resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of matching conditionsVSAvoidnumber of classification rule entries

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the classification rule into multiple independent rule sets, where each rule set corresponds to a specific packet characteristic. Instead of creating one comprehensive rule with all permutations, the system divides the classification into separate dimensions (e.g., source IP rules, destination IP rules, port rules), allowing each dimension to be managed independently with fewer entries per rule set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of classification by adding a second matching condition layer. The first matching condition identifies a preliminary service chain, and the second matching condition (applied to packets that matched the first) refines the selection. This dimensional approach replaces the need for exhaustive single-dimension permutations with a multi-stage filtering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If each service packet corresponds to only one classification rule, then the forwarding process is simple, but it is impossible to cover all matching conditions when a packet characteristic corresponds to multiple target values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforwarding process simplicityVSAvoidcoverage of matching conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first matching packets against a first set of classification rules to identify a preliminary service chain. This first matching stage filters packets based on primary characteristics. Then, a second matching stage is applied to the remaining packets using additional rules, allowing the system to build up the complete service chain through sequential preliminary actions rather than requiring all conditions to be satisfied by a single rule.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If the number of classification rule entries is reduced, then storage resources are saved, but the ability to cover all matching conditions is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of classification rule entriesVSAvoidcoverage of matching conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the classification rule into multiple independent rule sets, where each rule set corresponds to a specific packet characteristic. Instead of creating one comprehensive rule with all permutations, the system divides the classification into separate dimensions (e.g., source IP rules, destination IP rules, port rules), allowing each dimension to be managed independently with fewer entries per rule set.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of classification by adding a second matching condition layer. The first matching condition identifies a preliminary service chain, and the second matching condition (applied to packets that matched the first) refines the selection. This dimensional approach replaces the need for exhaustive single-dimension permutations with a multi-stage filtering process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10250501B2Service packet forwarding method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A service packet forwarding method and an apparatus, where the method includes receiving, by a classifier, a first service packet, generating, by the classifier, a second service packet according to a packet characteristic, and sending, by the classifier, the second service packet to a forwarder. Each piece of service chain information indicates a route of one service chain, a service packet carries multiple pieces of service chain information, and routes of multiple service chains constitute an entire path for forwarding the service packet.