Hardware Forwarding Element Network Slice Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software-defined datacenter tools often overlook underlay network elements, such as hardware switches and routers, when performing network operations, leading to incomplete management of data message flows across these networks.
Innovation Solution
A method for performing network slice-based operations at a hardware forwarding element (HFE) that identifies a network slice associated with a data message flow and processes it based on specific rules, using both data plane and control plane circuits to forward and manage data messages across multiple physical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If software-defined datacenter tools focus only on virtual network elements, then management of logical network resources is simplified, but underlay network elements are ignored and cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network management system into two distinct planes: a control plane for managing logical network resources (virtual switches, routers, middlebox elements) and a data plane for handling underlay network elements (hardware switches, routers, middlebox appliances). This segmentation allows each plane to specialize in its respective functions while maintaining coordinated operation through standardized interfaces, resolving the contradiction between simplified logical resource management and effective data message flow management.
2Reliability
If hardware forwarding elements are integrated into software-defined datacenter operations, then complete management of data message flows is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control plane as an intermediary layer between the software-defined logical network resources and the hardware forwarding elements. This control plane translates high-level logical network configurations into low-level hardware-specific instructions, enabling seamless integration of underlay network elements without requiring direct complex interactions between virtual and physical components. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of integration while presenting simplified interfaces to both management systems and hardware elements.
3Productivity
If network slice-based operations are implemented at hardware forwarding elements, then efficient management of data message flows is enabled, but forwarding element functionality must be enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances hardware forwarding elements with multi-functional capabilities to support network slice-based operations. The forwarding elements are designed to simultaneously perform traditional packet forwarding based on hardware tables and network slice-based operations using slice identifiers. This universal design allows a single hardware forwarding element to handle multiple types of traffic management functions (conventional forwarding, slice-based routing, load balancing, firewall actions) without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function, thus improving productivity while controlling the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel method of performing network slice-based operations on a data message at a hardware forwarding element (HFE) in a network. For a received data message flow, the method has the HFE identify a network slice associated with the received data message flow. This network slice in some embodiments is associated with a set of operations to be performed on the data message by several network elements, including one or more machines executing on one or more computers in the network. Once the network slice is identified, the method has the HFE process the data message flow based on a rule that applies to data messages associated with the identified slice.