MAC Chaining Filter Tables for Service Function Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service function chaining methods are costly and complex, often requiring physical re-wiring and are incompatible with existing infrastructure, leading to issues such as fragmentation and infeasibility on existing networks due to hard-wired configurations and proprietary switching formats.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Media Access Control (MAC) chaining, which uses unique signature addresses to identify and modify service function chains, allowing for flexible and easy insertion or deletion of service and management functions within existing infrastructure, leveraging management capabilities to ensure proper chain setup and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard-wired static network configuration is used for service function chaining, then service functions can be provided to process data packets, but the system becomes costly and complex requiring physical re-wiring and is incompatible with existing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hard-wired configuration system with a software-based MAC address modification system. Instead of physically re-wiring networks to change service function chains, the system modifies MAC addresses in data packets to dynamically route traffic through different service functions, eliminating the need for physical reconfiguration while maintaining reliable service processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of packet routing from fixed physical connections to dynamic MAC address modifications. By modifying the destination MAC address in packet headers, the system can redirect traffic through different service function chains without changing the physical network topology, reducing complexity while maintaining service reliability
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary switching formats are used for service function chaining, then service functions can be chained together, but the system becomes incompatible with existing infrastructure and causes fragmentation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal MAC addresses that are recognized by standard network infrastructure to implement service function chaining. Instead of creating proprietary switching formats, the system leverages the existing universal MAC address protocol to route packets through service functions, making the chaining mechanism compatible with existing network infrastructure while maintaining service versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces MAC address modification as an intermediary mechanism between standard network packets and service function routing. By modifying MAC addresses as an intermediate step, the system enables service function chaining without requiring proprietary packet formats, allowing existing infrastructure to handle packets while directing them through the desired service chain
3Ease of operation
If packet modifications are made to route to particular service functions, then service function chaining is enabled, but fragmentation issues occur due to packet size changes affecting subsequent transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet routing function from the packet data itself by modifying only the MAC address header portion while leaving the rest of the packet intact. This segmentation approach allows routing control without altering packet size or content, preventing fragmentation issues while maintaining ease of service function routing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy or modification of only the necessary addressing portion (MAC address) of the packet header without changing the actual packet data. This copying approach enables routing to service functions while preserving the original packet structure and size, avoiding fragmentation problems in subsequent network transportation
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with examples disclosed herein, a filter table for Media Access Control (MAC) chaining contains mappings between signature addresses, service functions, and management functions, to identify corresponding service function chains. The filter table is to store statistic information about the packet. A controller is to uniquely identify a management function corresponding to the signature address, and modify tables of packet signature addresses usable to modify the packet to cause the packet to be forwarded to the management function. The controller is to update the statistic information about the packet.