Overlay Virtual Networking Service Chain Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtual network systems face challenges in efficiently deploying service functions across differing networked virtual environments, particularly in managing metadata transmission and packet routing through overlapping waypoints without modifying packet headers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for overlay virtual networking that involves receiving logical service chain data, selecting networked virtual environments, deploying and mapping the service chain, transmitting data to a network virtual authority, and analyzing packets to manage IP addresses and routing without modifying packet headers, enabling seamless communication across overlapping waypoints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service functions are deployed within networks to provide security, WAN acceleration, and server load balancing, then network functionality and service capabilities are improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service chain identifier (SCID) as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between service functions and packet routing. The SCID is inserted into packet headers to identify service chains, enabling packets to be routed through multiple service functions (security, WAN acceleration, load balancing) without requiring complex manual configuration. This intermediary approach allows versatile service deployment while reducing operational complexity through automated service chain management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments network services into discrete service functions organized in service chains. Each service function (security, WAN acceleration, load balancing) is separated into an independent segment that can be individually deployed, configured, and managed. This segmentation allows flexible combination of services while simplifying operational complexity by treating each service as a modular unit within the service chain framework.
2Loss of information
If virtual networks require modification to packet headers for metadata transmission, then service chain identification and routing are enabled, but packet processing complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements metadata transmission by nesting the service chain identifier (SCID) within the existing packet header structure. The SCID is embedded in available header fields without requiring fundamental changes to the packet format. This nesting approach enables efficient metadata transmission for service chain routing while minimizing packet processing complexity by utilizing existing header infrastructure rather than creating entirely new packet formats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If overlay virtual networking is implemented to support overlapping waypoints, then network flexibility and service deployment capability are improved, but routing complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the service chain identifier (SCID) as an intermediary to simplify routing in overlay virtual networks with overlapping waypoints. Instead of requiring complex routing tables and manual configuration for each waypoint combination, the SCID automatically identifies the service chain and directs packets through the appropriate sequence of waypoints. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible overlay networking while reducing routing complexity through automated service chain-based routing decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for virtual networking is provided. The method includes receiving logical service chain data describing a source virtual network ID (VNID) for a source virtual network, a destination VNID for a destination virtual network, and a group of intermediate waypoints. The logical service chain data defines a logical service chain. A set of networked virtual environments (NVE) is selected to support the group of intermediate waypoints and the logical service chain is deployed and mapped to a physical service chain implemented on the set of NVEs. The logical service chain data is transmitted to a network virtual authority (NVA) and a packet forwarding mechanism is introduced when a packet is received from an overlay port or an underlay port. An associated IP address is requested and the first packet is analyzed.