Hybrid Packet Forwarding via Conventional and Flow Tables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet forwarding processes are inflexible and unable to adapt to changing service requirements, while OpenFlow technology offers flexibility but at the cost of performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that allow packet processing to jump between conventional tables and flow tables, leveraging the high performance of conventional tables and the flexibility of flow tables by determining identifiers for next tables based on description information, enabling efficient and adaptable packet processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If packet forwarding is entirely controlled by switch/router using conventional forward table, then high performance is achieved, but flexibility is insufficient and cannot adapt to service requirement changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet forwarding control into two parts: conventional forwarding table for high-performance standard packets, and flow table for flexible service-specific packets. This segmentation allows each table to handle appropriate packet types, resolving the contradiction between performance and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the switch/router and the flow table. The controller manages the flow table and provides flexible service control, while the switch/router handles high-performance conventional forwarding. This intermediary structure enables both high performance and adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If OpenFlow technology is used with flow table for flexible packet control, then adaptability to service changes is improved, but performance decreases and technology maturity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the forwarding system have different characteristics: the conventional forwarding table maintains high-performance characteristics for standard packets, while the flow table provides flexible adaptability for service-specific packets. Each table is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between conventional forwarding table and flow table based on packet type and service requirements. The system can dynamically select the appropriate forwarding table, combining the stability of conventional forwarding with the flexibility of flow-based control when needed.
3Productivity
If conventional forward table is used, then high performance is maintained, but service requirement changes require microcode modifications which reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the forwarding system by introducing a hierarchical structure with conventional forwarding table at the base layer and flow table at the service layer. This dimensional addition allows service adaptations without modifying the underlying high-performance conventional forwarding infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a packet processing method and a device. The method includes: acquiring a first packet, and determining an identifier of a first table. The method also includes determining description information of the first table, and performing first processing on the first packet according to the description information and the first table, where the first table is a convention table. The method also includes determining an identifier of a next table according to the description information of the first table, where the identifier of the next table corresponds to description information of the next table. The method also includes processing, according to the description information, and the next table, the first packet that has undergone the first processing.