Micro Segment Identifier Encoding in IPv6
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet switching technologies face inefficiencies in forwarding packets through networks, particularly when intermediate network apparatuses have limited reading capabilities, leading to packet dropping or slower software switching, and require additional Segment Routing Headers (SRH) for explicit path encoding.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Micro Segment Identifier (uSID) that encodes an explicit path into a single IPv6 address, allowing efficient packet processing by identifying global and local identifiers within the uSID, enabling hardware-based forwarding without the need for additional SRH and leveraging Unique Local IPv6 Unicast Addresses for operator-defined micro segment identifier blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional Segment Routing Headers (SRH) are used for explicit path encoding, then path routing capability is improved, but packet header size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the destination address and segment routing information into a single IPv6 address structure. The uSID (micro segment identifier) embeds both the final destination identifier and intermediate hop identifiers within one address, eliminating the need for separate SRH headers while maintaining explicit path routing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where segment identifiers are embedded within the destination address field. The uSID contains nested identifier blocks that represent different hops in the path, with each identifier block containing information about a specific network apparatus or segment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intermediate network apparatuses perform software switching, then packet forwarding flexibility is improved, but forwarding speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables intermediate network apparatuses to perform hardware-based forwarding by embedding all necessary routing information directly in the destination address. Each apparatus can autonomously extract its identifier from the uSID and forward packets using hardware lookup tables, eliminating the need for software processing while maintaining routing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The source network apparatus pre-computes and embeds the complete segment routing information in the uSID before packet transmission. Intermediate apparatuses only need to perform simple identifier matching and forwarding based on this pre-configured information, enabling fast hardware-based forwarding without complex software processing.
3Device complexity
If intermediate network apparatuses have limited reading capabilities, then device simplicity is improved, but packet processing reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing information into distinct identifier blocks within the uSID, each representing a specific hop or network apparatus. This segmentation allows intermediate apparatuses with limited capabilities to process only their relevant identifier portion while maintaining overall packet processing reliability through the structured format.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a packet comprising a destination address in a destination address field of the packet, where the destination address including at least a first global identifier and a second global identifier, determining that the first global identifier corresponds to the first network apparatus, determining that a local identifier in the destination address is associated with the first global identifier, identifying one or more instructions associated with the local identifier, performing one or more functions instructed by the one or more instructions, updating the destination address in the destination field of the packet to an updated destination address, determining a forwarding rule associated with the packet, and forwarding the packet with the updated destination address based on the forwarding rule.