Forwarder Rule Modification via Partial Action Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing OpenFlow protocol's flow modification method is inflexible, leading to low efficiency and increased communication resource usage between the controller and forwarder, as it only allows complete replacement of instruction sets in flow entries, making batch modifications of specific action instructions inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method allows for the separate modification of specified action instructions or action variables within a processing rule, reducing the number of messages required for modification and optimizing communication resources by enabling partial updates of flow entries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If complete replacement of instruction sets is used for flow entry modification, then modification simplicity is maintained, but modification efficiency decreases and communication resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the instruction set modification process into two distinct operations: (1) matching flow entries based on match fields, and (2) selectively replacing only specific action instructions or action variables within the matched flow entries. This segmentation allows partial modifications rather than complete replacement, improving efficiency while maintaining simplicity through the structured two-step process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling selective modification of specific action instructions or action variables within flow entries based on local conditions. The controller can specify which action instructions to modify using action instruction identification information, allowing precise local changes rather than global replacement, thus improving modification efficiency and reducing communication overhead.
2Device complexity
If complete replacement of instruction sets is used for flow entry modification, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but communication resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the existing flow entry identification mechanism (match fields) to identify target flow entries for modification. By leveraging the already-present identification structure, the patent avoids adding complex new identification protocols while enabling selective modification, thus maintaining protocol simplicity while reducing communication resource usage through targeted updates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If batch modification of specific action instructions is needed, then flexibility improves, but communication resource usage increases with existing methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow entry matching function and the action instruction replacement function into a single integrated modification process. By combining these operations, the patent enables batch modification of multiple flow entries with specific action instructions in one communication round-trip, improving flexibility while reducing communication resource usage compared to separate operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a processing rule modification method, apparatus and device. The method includes: receiving, by a forwarder, rule modification information sent by a controller, where the rule modification information includes rule description match information and action instruction modification information, where the rule description match information is used to determine a to-be-modified processing rule, rule description information of the to-be-modified processing rule accords with the rule description match information, and the action instruction modification information is used to instruct to modify an action instruction specified in an instruction set of the to-be-modified processing rule; and modifying, by the forwarder, when the forwarder determines that rule description information of a first processing rule meets the rule description match information, an action instruction specified in an instruction set of the first processing rule according to the action instruction modification information. The present invention improves efficiency in modifying a processing rule in the forwarder, and reduces occupied communication resources between the controller and the forwarder.