Distributed Service Chaining via Agentless Nodes and NSH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service chaining architectures primarily support either agentful or agentless services, leading to performance degradation due to centralized models and the inability to chain both types within the same service chain while maintaining service forwarding solely in the network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A distributed service chaining method that utilizes a network service header (NSH) to facilitate the chaining of both agentful and agentless services in a single service chain, with each Virtual Ethernet Module (VEM) making independent decisions for next-hop forwarding, decentralizing service forwarding decisions and allowing seamless integration without the need for service participation in forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized service chaining model is used, then service management is simplified, but performance degrades due to single point of control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized service chaining architecture into distributed components. Each VEM (Virtual Ethernet Module) is empowered to make independent service chaining decisions, dividing the control function from a single central point to multiple distributed nodes. This segmentation eliminates the performance bottleneck while maintaining coordinated service management through the NSH (Network Service Header) framework.
2Ease of operation
If agentful services are used, then service forwarding control is centralized, but performance degrades and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the service forwarding control logic from the service nodes themselves and places it in the network infrastructure (VEMs). By taking out the decision-making capability from agents and embedding it in the network fabric, the system achieves distributed control without requiring service participation in forwarding decisions, thereby improving performance and scalability.
3Measurement precision
If service nodes participate in forwarding decisions, then service control is precise, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the NSH (Network Service Header) as an intermediary that carries service chaining information between VEMs and service nodes. The header contains service path identifiers and location information that enable precise service control without requiring service nodes to make forwarding decisions. The intermediary mechanism maintains control precision while keeping service nodes simple.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple service types are chained together, then service versatility increases, but maintaining address space separation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal service chaining framework that handles both agentful and agentless services through the same NSH mechanism. The service path identifier and location fields in the header provide a unified approach to managing diverse service types while maintaining address space separation. This multi-functional approach enables versatile service chaining without increasing address space management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method for distributed service chaining is provided and includes receiving a packet belonging to a service chain in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment, the packet includes a network service header (NSH) indicating a service path identifier identifying the service chain. The packet is provided to a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) connected to an agentless service node (SN) providing an edge service such as a server load balancer (SLB). The VEM associates a service path identifier corresponding to the service chain with a local identifier such as a virtual local area network (VLAN). The agentless SN returns the packet to the VEM for forwarding on the VLAN. Because the VLAN corresponds exactly to the service path and service chain, the packet is forwarded directly to the next node in the service chain. This can enable agentless SNs to efficiently provide a service chain for network traffic.