Network Traffic Manager Service Stitching via Packet Header TOS DSCP

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network service providers face latency issues due to the repeated application of service functions on network packets, and prior technologies fail to consider the established trust between client devices and network traffic management systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying the Type of Service (TOS) or Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) value in packet headers to selectively apply value-added service chains, reducing latency by processing network packets through identified service chains without reclassification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If service functions are applied on every network packet to provide network services, then network service quality is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork service qualityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies service functions to the first packet of a flow and caches the processing results. Subsequent packets in the same flow reuse the cached results without reapplying service functions, thereby maintaining network service quality while significantly reducing latency for packets after the first one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If service functions are selectively applied based on TOS or DSCP values, then latency is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovelatencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent differentiates processing based on packet characteristics (TOS or DSCP values in packet headers). Packets with specific TOS/DSCP values are routed to appropriate service chains, allowing selective application of service functions based on local packet properties rather than uniform processing of all packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses TOS (Type of Service) or DSCP (Differentiated Services Code Point) values as parameters to determine service chain selection. By changing the processing path based on these header parameters, the system reduces latency for eligible packets while maintaining the ability to apply comprehensive service functions when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If comprehensive service chains are applied to all packets, then network security is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidpacket processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies comprehensive service chains to the first packet of each flow to ensure security, then caches the processing results. Subsequent packets reuse the cached security processing results, maintaining network security while significantly improving packet processing throughput by avoiding redundant security checks on every packet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11044200B1Methods for service stitching using a packet header and devices thereof

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 F5 NETWORKS INC

AI summary

Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, network traffic manager apparatuses, and systems that assist with service stitching using a packet header includes identifying a type of service (TOS) or differentiated services code point (DSCP) value in a header field in each of a plurality of received network packets. One or more value added service chains are identified based on the identified TOS or DSCP value. The plurality of network packets are forwarded to a destination after processing each of the plurality of network packets through the identified one or more value added service chains.