Differential Packet Processing via Service Function Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet processing technologies in communication networks face challenges in efficiently differentiating and processing packets based on Service Function Values (SFVs) to apply specific processing policies, leading to suboptimal handling of multiple virtual networks within a single network entity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Service Function Instances (SFIs) identified by SFVs allows for differential processing of decapsulated packets by associating different SFVs with distinct processing policies within a shared processing context, using Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) and route advertising protocols to ensure accurate packet processing based on SFVs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packets are forwarded based on standard routing protocols without SFV identification, then network simplicity is maintained, but differential processing of packets from multiple virtual networks cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Service Function Values (SFVs) as intermediary elements that carry virtual network identification information within packets. These SFVs act as mediators between the packet forwarding mechanism and the differential processing requirements, enabling the network to distinguish packets from different virtual networks without fundamentally changing the underlying routing infrastructure. The SFVs are inserted into packets at ingress points and processed at egress points to determine appropriate Service Function Instances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing framework using Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instances that can handle multiple virtual networks through a single network entity. The VRF infrastructure provides multi-functionality by enabling a single router or network device to simultaneously process packets from multiple virtual networks with different policies, achieving versatility without requiring separate physical devices for each virtual network.
2Productivity
If multiple virtual networks are processed within a single network entity using traditional methods, then resource utilization improves, but packet processing accuracy and policy enforcement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing logic by introducing Service Function Instances (SFIs) that are specifically associated with SFVs from different virtual networks. Each SFI represents a distinct processing context with dedicated policies, ensuring that packets from different virtual networks are handled by appropriate specialized instances. This segmentation maintains high resource utilization through shared infrastructure while achieving precise policy enforcement through dedicated processing paths.
3Measurement precision
If Service Function Instances are implemented for each virtual network, then packet processing precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple Service Function Instances under a unified VRF framework. Instead of independently managing SFIs for each virtual network, the system combines them into a coherent structure where VRF instances provide the overarching management context. This merging reduces operational complexity by providing centralized control planes, unified configuration mechanisms, and shared resource pools while maintaining the precision benefits of dedicated SFIs through the SFV-SFI association mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, associated differential processing of decapsulated packets is performed using Service Function Instances (SFIs) identified by Service Function Values (SFVs) derived from their encapsulating transport packets. By using different SFVs associated with different processing policies within a same processing context, one embodiment performs differential processing of streams of packets (arriving in transport packets) as identified by the particular SFV obtained from each particular transport packet. In other words, the processing policy identifies processing performed on the corresponding decapsulated original packet, not processing of the transport packet. Thus, if the original packet is an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, the SFI identifies Layer 3 processing that is performed on the original IP packet. Additionally, one embodiment uses a route advertising protocol (e.g., Border Gateway Protocol) to distribute associations between different SFVs and different addresses in a processing context (e.g., VRF).