Micro SID Route Entry Merging for Single-Lookup Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet processing in computer networks requires multiple passes through an ingress forwarding unit to handle micro segment identifiers (SIDs), leading to increased processing time and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a technique where a network device stores multiple micro SIDs as a single route entry in a destination address table, allowing for a single lookup and reducing the number of passes through the ingress packet processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple micro SIDs are handled as separate route entries, then routing accuracy is improved, but processing time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple micro SIDs into a single route entry in the destination address table. Instead of creating separate route entries for each micro SID, the system stores them together with a single entry that contains multiple micro SID values. This merging approach reduces the number of lookups required and decreases processing time while maintaining routing accuracy through the use of bitmask operations to handle individual micro SID matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data structure parameters of the route entry to accommodate multiple micro SIDs. The route entry is modified to include a bitmask field that represents multiple micro SID values, allowing the system to store and process multiple identifiers within a single entry. This parameter change enables efficient comparison operations using bitmask logic rather than requiring separate entries for each micro SID.
2Measurement precision
If multiple micro SIDs are handled as separate route entries, then routing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple micro SID handling operations into a single route entry structure. The destination address table stores consolidated entries that contain multiple micro SID values, reducing the overall number of entries and simplifying the lookup process. This approach decreases device complexity by reducing the size of routing tables and the computational overhead of processing multiple separate entries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the route entry parameters to include bitmask fields that can represent multiple micro SIDs efficiently. This parameter change simplifies the data structure by using compact binary representations instead of multiple separate identifier fields, thereby reducing memory requirements and processing complexity while maintaining the ability to accurately match multiple micro SIDs.
3Measurement precision
If multiple lookups are performed for micro SIDs, then routing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lookup operations into a single lookup by storing multiple micro SIDs within one route entry. The destination address table is structured to allow the router to perform one lookup that retrieves all associated micro SIDs simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple sequential lookups. This significantly improves packet processing efficiency while maintaining routing precision through bitmask-based matching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary organization of multiple micro SIDs into consolidated route entries during the routing table construction phase. By pre-grouping micro SIDs into single entries with appropriate bitmask representations, the system prepares the data structure in advance to enable efficient single-lookup operations during packet forwarding, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing routing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An example first network device includes a control unit configured to execute at least one application and a forwarding unit. The forwarding unit includes an interface configured to receive packets, at least one packet processor operably coupled to a memory, and a forwarding path, wherein at least a portion of the forwarding path is stored in the memory and is executable by the at least one packet processor. The forwarding unit is configured to receive an advertisement originated by a second network device in a network, wherein the advertisement specifies a second micro segment identifier (SID), and store, in a destination lookup table, a route entry comprising a first micro SID associated with the first network device and the second micro SID.