Per-Flow Traffic Steering via Centralized Rule Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traffic steering solutions in network systems face scalability issues, lack flexibility, and are not compatible with third-party service appliances, limiting the ability to selectively direct traffic to specific services and requiring extensive configuration, which is error-prone and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a centralized controller to create and propagate rules based on traffic characteristic information, allowing for dynamic redirection of traffic flows through a set of switches, enabling per-flow steering and integration of existing and third-party services without modifications, using a new protocol like the Steering Service Protocol (StSP) within a Software Defined Networking (SDN) framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all traffic is forced through every service, then service inspection coverage is maximized, but network cost and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making service path selection specific to each traffic flow rather than applying a uniform path to all traffic. The system creates per-flow service paths that selectively direct different traffic flows through different subsets of services based on their specific characteristics and policies, thereby optimizing the balance between inspection coverage and network cost for each local traffic scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the service path parameter based on traffic flow characteristics. By evaluating traffic flow attributes and matching them against service chain policies, the system selects appropriate service paths from multiple available options, transforming the static all-traffic-through-all-services approach into a dynamic parameter-driven selection mechanism that reduces unnecessary processing costs.
2Ease of operation
If static service chains are configured, then service path is predetermined, but flexibility to adapt to different traffic types is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by transitioning from static service chain configuration to dynamic per-flow service path selection. The system evaluates traffic flow characteristics in real-time and dynamically selects appropriate service paths based on matched policies, enabling the network to adapt flexibly to different traffic types while maintaining operational simplicity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the service chain into multiple possible paths and selectively activates appropriate segments based on traffic flow characteristics. Instead of a single monolithic service chain, the patent creates multiple service path options and dynamically selects which segments to traverse for each traffic flow, thereby achieving both configuration simplicity and traffic-type flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If router handles traffic classification after each service hop, then traffic steering accuracy is improved, but router processing capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing traffic flow classification and service path selection at the beginning of the traffic flow lifecycle, before traffic enters the service chain. The controller determines the complete service path in advance based on traffic flow characteristics and policy matching, eliminating the need for repeated classification and steering decisions at each service hop, thereby reducing router processing capacity requirements while maintaining steering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a controller as an intermediary between traffic sources and services. The controller handles the complex task of traffic classification and service path determination, freeing the router from these processing burdens. The router simply forwards traffic according to controller instructions, thereby maintaining high steering accuracy while reducing router capacity requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If per-flow service paths are implemented, then traffic steering flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity and error potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex configuration and decision-making logic from the router and places it in a dedicated controller. The controller handles per-flow service path determination through policy matching, while the router performs only simple forwarding based on controller instructions. This separation reduces configuration complexity and error potential at the router while maintaining high traffic steering flexibility through the controller's policy-based decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for redirecting a traffic flow in a communication network, in which a first or default service path has been configured for the traffic flow to go through is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving a notification message from a network node, the notification message including a traffic characteristic information of a packet of the traffic flow; creating a set of rules based on the received traffic characteristic information; and sending the set of rules to a plurality of switches in the communication network, the set of rules configuring a second or alternative service path to be used by subsequent packets of this traffic flow. Also, a network node for carrying out this method is provided.