Mobile Network Service Chaining with Segment Routing for MEC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile networks lack an efficient and scalable service function chaining (SFC) controller for dynamic service provisioning in multi-access edge computing (MEC) environments.
Innovation Solution
Integrate SFC with a mobile user plane (MUP) architecture and utilize segment routing (SR) to enhance scalability and efficiency by implementing a service function chaining apparatus and method, which includes a processor and memory for processing session information and transforming it into segment routing information for service chaining on a data plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If service function chaining is integrated with mobile user plane architecture and segment routing is utilized, then scalability and efficiency of mobile network operation are improved, but device complexity and routing information processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments routing information into multiple types (Type 1, Type 3, Type 4, Type 5) with different levels of detail and provisioning targets. Type 1 routing information contains basic session data and is provisioned to all nodes, while Type 3-5 routing information contains additional service-specific details and is provisioned selectively to classifier ingress and forwarding/egress nodes based on SFC scenario requirements. This segmentation reduces the complexity burden on individual nodes while maintaining overall system scalability and efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of routing information are generated and provisioned to different nodes, then service coordination accuracy is improved, but information processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by provisioning different types of routing information to different nodes based on their specific roles and requirements. Type 1 routing information is provisioned to all nodes for basic forwarding, while Type 3-5 routing information with service-specific details is provisioned only to classifier ingress and forwarding/egress nodes that require advanced service coordination capabilities. This localized information distribution achieves precise service path provisioning while minimizing unnecessary information processing overhead at intermediate nodes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If SFC controller is designed for mobile networks with support for Stateful and Stateless scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single SFC controller architecture that supports both Stateful and Stateless SFC scenarios through a unified routing information generation framework. The controller can dynamically select and generate appropriate routing information types (Type 1, Type 3, Type 4, or Type 5) based on the specific SFC scenario requirements, eliminating the need for separate specialized controllers for different scenarios and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A service function chaining device, system, and method for a mobile network. A service function chaining (SFC) apparatus located in a control plane comprises a processor; and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory stores program instructions, executed by the processor, to perform operations comprising receiving session information for a service from a mobile network, determining a service path for a plurality of service functions for service chaining on a data plane, and transforming and processing the session information and the service path into segment routing information and provisioning it to a classifier ingress located in a data plane and a forwarding/egress connected to an individual multi-access edge computing (MEC) hosting a service.