Packet Forwarding via Tunnel Attributes for Routing-Layer Traffic Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet forwarding methods fail to meet the diverse forwarding performance requirements of different packets, resulting in a poor packet forwarding effect.
Innovation Solution
A packet forwarding method where a first node determines a target tunnel based on tunnel attributes and packet attributes, allowing packets with different requirements to be forwarded over different tunnels, thereby meeting the specific needs of each packet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all packets sent to a same node are forwarded through a same tunnel, then the forwarding process is simple, but the packet forwarding effect is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different tunnel attributes (color attributes) to different packets based on their specific requirements. Instead of using a single uniform tunnel for all packets to the same destination, the system selectively routes packets with different performance requirements through different tunnels with appropriate attributes, thereby optimizing forwarding performance for each packet type while maintaining manageable complexity through attribute-based classification.
2Productivity
If multiple tunnels with different attributes are used for packet forwarding, then the packet forwarding effect is improved, but the forwarding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by introducing tunnel attributes (color attributes) as additional routing parameters. The forwarding device changes its behavior based on these attributes, selecting different tunnels according to the attribute values that match packet requirements. This parameter-based approach enables flexible packet forwarding performance optimization while keeping the forwarding logic structured and manageable through attribute matching rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packet forwarding method and device, and a system are provided, and belong to the field of communication technologies. The method includes: A first node first receives a route to a destination node sent by a second node, where the route carries an identifier of the second node and a plurality of tunnel attributes. Then, the first node determines a plurality of tunnels from the first node to the second node based on the plurality of tunnel attributes, determines a target tunnel from the plurality of tunnels based on a packet attribute carried in a packet destined for the destination node, and forwards the packet to the second node through the target tunnel. The plurality of tunnels are in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of tunnel attributes, and the tunnels have corresponding tunnel attributes. In this application, the plurality of tunnels for traffic diversion are controlled based on the plurality of tunnel attributes carried in the route, and a tunnel for traffic diversion in the plurality of tunnels is controlled based on the packet attribute. In this way, packets having different packet attributes can be forwarded over different tunnels, so that traffic steering is implemented at a routing layer, and flexibility of packet forwarding is improved.