Controller Dynamic Service Chain Forwarding for Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service chaining technologies are limited in dynamically adjusting service load sharing, making them unsuitable for environments with a large number of services and service processing function units, as they rely on static 5-tuple hashing and cannot adapt to changing network resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating forwarding information that allows a controller to dynamically determine and manage Service Function Chains (SFCs) by identifying and allocating Service Function Forwarders (SFFs) based on real-time resource usage, enabling flexible service stream routing and load sharing across multiple Service Processing Entities (SPEs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If static 5-tuple hashing is used for load sharing, then implementation is simple, but service load sharing cannot be dynamically adjusted according to network resource usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static load sharing into dynamic load sharing by introducing a controller that receives resource usage information from service processing entities and dynamically adjusts service stream forwarding. The forwarding information is no longer fixed but changes based on real-time resource conditions, enabling the system to adapt to varying network states while maintaining manageable complexity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where service processing entities report resource usage information to the controller, which then adjusts forwarding information accordingly. This closed-loop system allows the network to automatically respond to changing resource conditions, resolving the contradiction between simple implementation and dynamic adaptability by using automated feedback-based control.
2Ease of operation
If service chaining technology is used with static load sharing, then service stream forwarding is straightforward, but the system cannot support large-scale service networks with numerous services and processing units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between service processing entities and the service chaining system. This intermediary collects resource usage information from multiple service processing entities and makes centralized forwarding decisions, enabling the system to scale to large numbers of services and processing units while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism enables the system to scale by automatically responding to resource conditions across the network. The controller receives resource usage information from service processing entities and dynamically adjusts forwarding information, allowing the system to efficiently manage large-scale service networks without increasing operational complexity at the edge devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic load sharing is implemented without centralized control, then service network adaptability improves, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control function into a centralized controller, combining resource monitoring, forwarding decision-making, and information distribution into a single entity. This consolidation achieves dynamic load sharing and high adaptability while reducing system coordination complexity by eliminating the need for distributed coordination between multiple service processing entities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating forwarding information includes generating, by a controller, first forwarding information, wherein the first forwarding information comprises an identifier of a service chain comprising a first service processing entity (SPE) attached to a first service forwarding entity (SFE); generating, by the controller, second forwarding information, wherein the second forwarding information comprises the identifier of the service chain comprising a second SPE attached to a second SFE; sending, by the controller, the first forwarding information to the first SFE; and sending, by the controller, the second forwarding information to the second SFE. Hence, the controller generates forwarding information for the SFE such that a service chaining technology can be applied to a service environment in which a large quantity of services and a large quantity of service processing function units exist.