Data Transfer Routing With Shared Entries for Service Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
In computer networks using the TCP/IP protocol, implementing Service Function Chaining (SFC) results in increased processing delays and resource consumption due to the need for recalculating sending destinations after data processing, and existing routing tables become exhausted, preventing new service chains from being routed.
Innovation Solution
A data transfer device that uses a service function number and identification information from a packet tag to manage and route new service chains, even when the routing table is full, by acquiring transfer destination candidates and deciding the packet's destination based on service chain identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SFC is implemented using TCP/IP protocol, then service flexibility is improved, but processing delay and resource consumption increase due to recalculating sending destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing routing information for multiple service chains in the routing table before packets arrive. Each routing table entry contains pre-determined next-hop information for different service function numbers and service chain identifiers. When a packet arrives, the SF only needs to perform a simple table lookup based on the service function number and service chain identifier in the tag, rather than recalculating the route. This eliminates the need for real-time route recalculation and reduces processing delay while maintaining service flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If routing information is held for each service chain in the routing table, then routing accuracy is improved, but the routing table becomes exhausted preventing new service chains from being routed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges service chains that use the same service function into shared routing table entries. Instead of creating separate entries for each service chain, the routing table stores entries indexed by service function number, where each entry contains routing information that can serve multiple service chains. The service chain identifier is used to select among multiple next-hops within the same service function group. This consolidation reduces the total number of routing table entries required while maintaining the ability to accurately route different service chains through the same service function.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing table entries are designed to be universal and multi-functional, serving multiple service chains simultaneously. Each routing table entry associated with a service function number can handle traffic from multiple different service chains by using the service chain identifier to determine the appropriate next-hop. This multi-functionality allows a single routing table entry to fulfill routing requirements for several service chains, thereby increasing routing table capacity and preventing exhaustion while maintaining routing accuracy for each individual service chain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sending destination is rewritten after data processing in SF, then service chain flexibility is improved, but calculation resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining all possible next-hops for each service function and storing them in the routing table before packets arrive. The routing table contains pre-calculated routing information for multiple service chains sharing the same service function. When a packet is processed, the SF only needs to perform a simple lookup using the service function number and service chain identifier from the tag to find the next-hop, rather than recalculating the destination. This eliminates the need for real-time destination rewriting and reduces calculation resource consumption while maintaining service chain flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A data transfer device has, under control, a data processing device that performs data processing of a service function for data included in a received packet, receives a packet including a tag including a service function number of a service function constituting a service chain for implementing a service requested by a user and identification information of the service chain, acquires a transfer destination candidate of the packet from a routing table using the service function number of the received packet, decides a transfer destination of the packet based on the identification information of the service chain, and transfers the received packet to the data processing device or the data transfer device.