Dynamic Packet-Forwarding Plane Segmentation for Router Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern distributed routers, creating encapsulation and decapsulation chains for every virtual interface on each card wastes limited memory and processing resources, as not all chains are utilized due to varying configurations of physical interfaces, leading to inefficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method to dynamically determine and create only the necessary encapsulation and decapsulation chains for each virtual interface on a card, based on the availability of physical interfaces and their configurations, allowing for segmentation of the packet-forwarding plane and optimal resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If encapsulation and decapsulation chains are created for every virtual interface on each card, then the functionality and versatility of the router is improved, but the memory and processing resources are wasted due to creating unnecessary chains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic chain creation where the router control plane determines at runtime which encapsulation and decapsulation chains are actually needed based on the specific configuration of physical interfaces and virtual interfaces. Chains are created or destroyed dynamically rather than being statically pre-created for all possible virtual interfaces, allowing the system to adapt its resource allocation to actual operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating chains selectively on specific cards based on their individual configurations. Not all cards need all types of chains - each card's chain creation is localized to its specific physical interface capabilities and the virtual interfaces that actually require those chains, rather than uniformly creating all chains on all cards.
2Reliability
If all cards create both encapsulation and decapsulation chains for virtual interfaces, then complete packet processing capability is ensured, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet-forwarding plane by allowing different cards to have different sets of chains based on their specific configurations. Instead of a monolithic approach where all cards have all chains, the system is segmented into card-specific chain configurations, enabling each card to process packets independently with only the chains it actually needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by creating only the necessary subset of chains required for actual packet processing, rather than creating all possible chains. The control plane determines the minimal set of chains needed based on virtual interface configurations and physical interface availability, avoiding excessive chain creation while maintaining complete processing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for dynamically creating encapsulation and decapsulation chains and segmenting the packet-forwarding plane. A distributed router may comprise multiple cards, each exposing a subset of the router's physical interfaces. Some physical interfaces may be configured to send/receive only certain types and destinations of data packets. Some cards might not expose any physical interfaces configured to send/receive a particular type and destination of packet, making encapsulation and/or decapsulation chains for virtual interfaces that process data packets of the particular type useless on those cards. Therefore, instead of always creating both encapsulation and decapsulation chains for a virtual interface on a card, an aspect of the method dynamically determines which of the encapsulation and decapsulation chains are useful for a virtual interface on that card, and creates only those chains that are useful on that card. Thus, the packet-forwarding plane is segmented into independent encapsulation and decapsulation segments.