Communication Device Header Information for Service Function Chaining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In Service Function Chaining (SFC), network operators and service providers face challenges in determining which service functions, such as Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Load Balancer, should operate on specific packets, limiting the ability to customize packet processing according to user desires.
Innovation Solution
A communication device and method that add, delete, or determine header information containing path information to direct packets through a network, allowing for customized service function chaining by identifying and managing Application Functions (AFs) and their paths, including relay nodes and functions, to enable desired operations on packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Service Function Chaining (SFC) is implemented with predefined service functions, then network operators can manage packet forwarding through standardized functions, but service users cannot customize which functions operate on their packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces header information as an intermediary carrier that contains path information between start and target nodes. This header acts as a mediator that enables service users to specify custom function paths without requiring changes to the core SFC architecture. The header information is added by communication devices along the path, allowing flexible routing while maintaining standardized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet forwarding path into discrete segments defined by start nodes and target nodes, with intermediate relay nodes. Each segment can have specific service functions applied, allowing service users to customize which functions operate on their packets. This segmentation enables granular control over packet processing while keeping the overall system manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If header information containing path information is added to packets, then customized service function chaining is enabled, but packet processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining path information in the header at the start node before packet transmission begins. The header information containing start node and target node identifiers is prepared in advance, allowing intermediate nodes to simply follow the predefined path without complex real-time decision-making. This reduces processing complexity at each hop while maintaining customization capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication devices add and manage header information for path routing, then user-defined service functions can be executed, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding header information only to packets that require customized service function chaining, rather than to all packets in the network. The start node identifies packets that need custom processing and adds the header information containing path information. This selective approach minimizes the quantity of header information in the network while enabling user control where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a communication device including: a communication section that executes communication with another node; and a control section that controls the communication by the communication section, the control section adding, to a packet directed toward a transmission destination node by a transmission source node, header information containing at least path information between the communication device located in a stage subsequent to the transmission source node and a target node located in a stage preceding the transmission destination node, and causing the communication section to send the packet toward another node residing in a path.