Dynamic Service Path Creation for Elastic Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network service deployment models are static and do not adapt well to elastic service environments, failing to account for the classifier in service paths, leading to inefficiencies and overhead in traffic steering and Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) processes.
Innovation Solution
The techniques involve dynamically constructing service paths that decouple the service chain from the forwarding state, explicitly accounting for the classifier, allowing for unique service paths that can be reused across different classifiers, eliminating the need for classifier identification in the overlay header and enabling efficient traffic steering and OAM data return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If static service deployment models are used, then service chain topology is fixed and easy to manage, but adaptability to elastic service environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service path creation where service paths are constructed at runtime based on classifier instantiation events. The service controller dynamically determines service paths by combining service chain definitions with classifier identifiers, allowing the network to adapt to elastic service environments while maintaining structured service chain compositions.
2Ease of manufacture
If service paths are bound to topology for insertion, then deployment is straightforward, but flexibility in service environment adaptation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the service path into two distinct components: the service chain definition (sequence of service functions) and the classifier identifier. This segmentation allows independent management of service logic and deployment location, enabling flexible instantiation at different classifiers while maintaining structured service chain compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The service path is dynamically constructed at runtime by the service controller when a classifier instantiation event is received. The controller combines the predefined service chain with the specific classifier identifier to create a unique service path, enabling flexible adaptation without redefining the entire service chain topology.
3Ease of operation
If classifier identification is included in overlay header, then service path routing is simplified, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the classifier identifier from the overlay header and incorporates it directly into the service path definition maintained by the service controller. This extraction eliminates the need to carry classifier identification in the overlay header, reducing overhead while maintaining routing capability through controller-based path management.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are techniques for dynamic creation of a unique service path for a service chain. In one example, a service controller and a plurality of service nodes are provided, each service node configured to apply a service function to traffic that passes through the respective service node. The service controller defines a service chain identifying a set of service functions and an order in which they are applied. The service controller receives an indication that the service chain has been instantiated at a classifier, and creates a unique service path for the service chain, wherein the unique service path includes the service chain and the classifier at which the service chain is instantiated.