In-band Event Reporting in Service Function Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
In service chaining, dropped packets within the network can go unreported, leading to incorrect charging and policy control events, and the existing architecture is complex with numerous control interfaces and message exchanges.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an event reporting mechanism where relevant events, such as dropped packets, are reported in-band within user data packets or dedicated packets, allowing for corrective actions and reducing the number of control interfaces by circulating report events along the service chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If event reporting is implemented using existing control interfaces and message exchanges, then dropped packets can be reported, but the architecture becomes complex with numerous control interfaces and message exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines event reporting functionality with the existing service chain data plane by embedding event information directly into user data packets. This merging eliminates the need for separate control interfaces and message exchanges, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining reliable event reporting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes user data packets serve dual purposes: carrying user data and conveying event reporting information simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach allows the data plane to handle both tasks without requiring additional dedicated control plane resources, thereby simplifying the overall architecture.
2Loss of information
If separate control interfaces are used for event reporting, then events can be monitored, but the number of message exchanges increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges event information transmission with user data transmission by embedding event reports within user data packets. This combination ensures complete event information is captured and transmitted while eliminating redundant separate message exchanges, thereby improving efficiency without sacrificing information completeness.
3Device complexity
If in-band reporting within user data packets is implemented, then control interface complexity is reduced, but packet processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the event reporting information into distinct fields within the user data packet structure, separating event identification, event type, and other relevant parameters. This segmentation allows packet processing entities to efficiently extract and interpret event information without having to parse complex unstructured data, thereby reducing processing complexity despite the in-band approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is provided a method, comprising generating a report information; and inserting the report information into an outbound service data flow to be sent to a subsequent entity in a service chain. Furthermore, it is provided a method, comprising monitoring whether a received service data flow comprises a report information relevant to an apparatus performing the method, wherein the received service data flow is received from a precedent entity in service chain; evaluating the report information if the report information is relevant; modifying a service function of the service chain based on the evaluated report information.