Namespace-Isolated Multi-Tenant Packet Pipelines for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet processing pipelines in multi-tenant SDN platforms face challenges with increased latency and reduced throughput due to shared computing infrastructure, and lack adequate security measures to isolate tenant domains and protect against unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
Implement a programmable multi-stage packet processing pipeline using multiple separate namespaces in the SDN network, where each namespace encapsulates graph object programming within a predefined scope, ensuring isolation and security by restricting access to authorized parts of the pipeline.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate namespaces are implemented to isolate tenant domains and provide security, then security and protection against unauthorized access are improved, but device complexity and programming overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the packet processing pipeline into multiple separate namespaces, where each namespace is isolated and can be independently programmed and managed. This segmentation provides security boundaries between different tenants while maintaining overall system functionality. Each namespace contains its own set of graph objects and programming interfaces, preventing unauthorized access across tenant domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces namespace abstractions as intermediary layers between users and the underlying pipeline infrastructure. These namespaces act as mediators that provide controlled access to graph objects through defined programming interfaces, reducing the complexity of direct management while maintaining security. The namespace layer simplifies user interaction by presenting a standardized interface rather than exposing raw infrastructure complexity.
2Ease of operation
If packet processing uses conventional chaining with packet queuing among service functions, then ease of operation is maintained, but latency increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple service function chains into a unified, optimized pipeline execution model. Instead of conventional sequential chaining with packet queuing between services, the graph-based representation allows services to be combined and executed in an optimized sequence, reducing intermediate buffering and queuing delays. This merging maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving throughput and reducing latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous packet processing through the unified pipeline by eliminating idle waiting periods associated with conventional service chaining. The graph execution model allows packets to flow continuously through processing stages without being held in queues between services, maintaining useful action throughout the entire processing path and thereby reducing overall latency while preserving ease of operation through standardized interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
A programmable multi-stage packet processing pipeline executing in a data plane of a software-defined networking (SDN) network handles data packets according to objects in a directed graph that are programmed using multiple separate namespaces. Each namespace provides isolation for programming in the processing stages to provide protection for the pipeline that may span across multiple different tenant domains. While programming is handled using separate namespaces, the programmed stages are converted into executable code that runs in a single data plane of the SDN network to optimize data packet flow while minimizing latency.