Cross-Service Virtual Network Function Chaining Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in creating flexible and efficient cross-service chains of virtual network functions across multiple sites, limiting the ability to route data through specific functionalities and services effectively.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that receives requests for cross-service chains, determines the necessary virtual network functions, and configures edge devices with routing instructions and labeling rules to route packets through multiple virtual network functions across sites, enabling data to flow through desired functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual network functions are tightly coupled within a single service, then service functionality is provided, but data cannot be injected or extracted other than through the service's ingress and egress points, limiting cross-service data flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service chain into independent virtual network functions (VNFs) that can be individually selected and chained. Each VNF is a discrete functional unit (e.g., firewall, router, load balancer) that can be independently configured and deployed, allowing data to flow through specific sequences of functions across different services rather than being constrained by monolithic service boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a service chain manager as an intermediary component that orchestrates the creation and management of cross-service chains. This manager receives requests for custom service chains, selects appropriate VNFs from different services, and configures the chaining relationships between them, enabling flexible data flow paths without requiring direct coupling between original services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom services are created by chaining virtual network functions, then specific functionality is achieved, but the chain is limited to a single service and cannot span multiple services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal service chain management framework that can handle VNFs from multiple different services through a common interface and configuration mechanism. The service chain manager provides multi-functional capabilities to discover, select, and chain VNFs from various services (e.g., networking, security, computing services) into unified cross-service chains, enabling a single system to manage diverse service types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the service chain concept from a single-service dimension to a multi-service dimensional space. Instead of confining chains to one service boundary, the system operates in an expanded dimension where VNFs from multiple services can be selected and chained together based on functional requirements, creating cross-service data flow paths that traverse different service domains.
3Ease of operation
If data flows through a fixed service path with single ingress and egress points, then service integrity is maintained, but routing flexibility through specific virtual network functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service chaining where the path through VNFs can be flexibly configured and modified based on routing requirements. The service chain manager can dynamically create, modify, and delete chains of VNFs to redirect data flow through specific functions as needed, while the underlying service infrastructure maintains integrity through proper configuration management and state tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for creating cross-service chains of virtual network functions in a wide area network. A controller can receive a chain request from a requestor. The chain request can specify functionality that is to be included in a service chain. The functionality can include a first function and a second function. The controller can compute a route associated with the service chain. The route can specify a first site that hosts a first service that provides the first function and a second site that hosts a second service that provides the second function. A first virtual network function can be located at the first site and a second virtual network function can be located at the second site. The controller can configure edge devices and forwarding devices to various entities at the two sites to enable the cross-service virtual network function chain.