Micro SID Domain Blocks for Scalable Multi-Domain SRv6 Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Segment routing over IPv6 (SRv6) faces inefficiencies due to the need for intermediate nodes to read deep into packet headers, which can lead to forwarding degradation and increased latency, especially in networks with medium-end routers that cannot process the entire Segment Routing Header (SRH).
Innovation Solution
The implementation of domain-specific, micro-segment routing instructions using micro SIDs (compressed to fewer bits) and micro SID-domain-blocks, allowing for block swapping between domains, reduces the size of SIDs from 128-bits to a lower value, enabling scalable inter-domain routing without increasing IP header overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If segment routing over IPv6 (SRv6) is implemented with full 128-bit SIDs, then routing flexibility and scalability are improved, but forwarding latency increases and medium-end routers cannot process the entire Segment Routing Header
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 128-bit SID into multiple smaller components: domain blocks (identifying network domains) and micro-SIDs (identifying specific nodes within domains). This segmentation allows routers to process only relevant portions of the routing header, reducing forwarding latency while maintaining routing flexibility through the hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to routing by organizing SIDs into domain blocks and micro-SIDs. This dimensional organization transforms the flat 128-bit SID structure into a multi-level hierarchy, enabling medium-end routers to efficiently process routing information by operating at the micro-SID level within their own domains without needing to parse the entire 128-bit address.
2Measurement precision
If segment routing uses full 128-bit SIDs, then routing precision is improved, but device complexity increases for medium-end routers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 128-bit SID into domain blocks and micro-SIDs, allowing medium-end routers to focus processing only on the micro-SID portion relevant to their domain. This segmentation maintains routing precision by preserving the full hierarchical address structure while reducing device complexity by enabling selective processing of only the necessary routing header components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the routing header to be processed differently: domain blocks are processed by border routers for inter-domain routing, while micro-SIDs are processed by local routers for intra-domain forwarding. This localized processing approach maintains routing precision where needed while reducing complexity at each individual router.
3Measurement precision
If segment routing headers are processed in full by intermediate nodes, then routing accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the domain identification portion (domain blocks) from the full 128-bit SID and places it in a separate, easily accessible location in the routing header. This extraction allows intermediate nodes to quickly identify and process only the micro-SID portion relevant to their domain without needing to parse the entire routing header, thereby improving processing speed while maintaining routing accuracy through the preserved hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of routing information by structuring SIDs into domain blocks and micro-SIDs with domain blocks positioned for easy identification. This preliminary structuring enables intermediate nodes to quickly locate and process only the necessary micro-SID information without scanning the entire routing header, improving processing speed while maintaining routing accuracy through the pre-organized hierarchical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and mechanisms for compressing the size of SIDs to be smaller than a complete IPv6 address (or “micro SIDs”), and scaling micro SIDs across a multi-domain environment using micro SID-domain-blocks. Segment routing over IPv6 (SRv6) uses 128-bit IPv6 addresses as SIDs for segment routing. According to this disclosure, multiple SRv6 SIDs may be expressed in a compact format such that a 128-bit IPv6 address, such as the destination address field of the IPv6 header, may store multiple micro SIDs. Further, SID-domain-blocks may be assigned to each domain in a multi-domain network such that micro SIDs may be expressed in the context of a given domain, rather than being shared in the global multi-domain network. In this way, lists of domain-specific SIDs may be fully expressed in the IPv6 destination address of the packet to scale micro SID into large, multi-domain networks.