SDN Switch Packet Tracing via Copy and Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Software Defined Networking (SDN) networks, troubleshooting packet processing paths becomes complex due to the intricacy of packet processing pipelines, and existing techniques for packet tracing require additional processing and bandwidth, or rely on features not supported by all switches, leading to operational issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a switch in an SDN network creates a copy of a packet for tracing purposes and directs it to an SDN controller, allowing the original packet to be processed normally, without requiring resubmit actions or modifications to flow entries, thus enabling tracing across multiple flow tables without disrupting normal packet processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If packet tracing is implemented using existing techniques, then packet tracing capability is improved, but additional processing and bandwidth are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the original packet for tracing purposes. The copy is sent to the SDN controller while the original packet continues normal processing. This copying approach enables tracing without requiring additional processing of the original packet or consuming extra bandwidth for the actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet processing into two independent paths: the original packet processing path and the trace packet path. The trace packet is separated from the original packet and handled independently by the SDN controller, allowing tracing operations to occur without interfering with or adding overhead to the main data plane operations.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If resubmit actions are used for packet tracing, then tracing across multiple flow tables is improved, but operational issues and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trace packet as an intermediary element that carries tracing information through the flow tables. Instead of using resubmit actions which require complex flow entry modifications, the trace packet serves as a mediator that can be tracked through multiple flow table matches without disrupting the original packet processing or requiring flow entry changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tracing function from the original packet processing flow. By creating a separate trace packet and removing it from the main processing path, the system enables multi-flow-table tracing without requiring resubmit actions or modifications to the original flow entries, thereby reducing operational complexity.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If flow entries are modified for tracing, then packet tracing capability is improved, but normal packet processing is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the original packet for tracing purposes. The copy is sent to the SDN controller while the original packet continues normal processing. This copying approach enables tracing without requiring additional processing of the original packet or consuming extra bandwidth for the actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet processing into two independent paths: the original packet processing path and the trace packet path. The trace packet is separated from the original packet and handled independently by the SDN controller, allowing tracing operations to occur without interfering with or adding overhead to the main data plane operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method implemented by a switch in a Software Defined Networking (SDN) network to trace packets in the SDN network, where the switch includes a packet processing pipeline. The method includes receiving a first packet, determining, at a first flow table of the packet processing pipeline, whether the first packet is to be traced, punting a copy of the first packet to an SDN controller and directing the first packet to a second flow table of the packet processing pipeline in response to a determination at the first flow table that the first packet is to be traced.