Segment Routing Header Compression Using cSID Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The expansion of Segment Routing IPv6 Headers (SRH) can cause packets to exceed size limits, leading to inefficiencies in network bandwidth usage and transmission rates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to compress segment identifiers (SIDs) into compressed SIDs (cSIDs) and using a segment routing header (SRH) with a container structure that includes a common prefix, cSIDs, and an end-of-compression indicator, reducing the SRH size and maintaining packet integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If segment routing headers are expanded to include complete segment identifiers, then routing information completeness is improved, but packet size increases and may exceed limits
Solution Approach 1:
The segment identifier is segmented into two parts: a common prefix that is shared by multiple segments and a unique suffix that identifies each specific segment. This segmentation allows the common part to be transmitted once and the unique parts to be transmitted individually, reducing overall packet size while maintaining complete routing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The common prefix is extracted and nested within the segment routing header structure, while the unique suffixes are embedded alongside it. This nested organization allows efficient storage and retrieval of both common and specific routing information without redundant data, thereby reducing packet size while preserving routing completeness.
2Loss of energy
If compressed segment identifiers are used to reduce packet size, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common prefix is pre-computed and stored in the segment routing header before packet transmission. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time compression algorithms during packet forwarding, reducing processing complexity at network nodes while maintaining bandwidth efficiency through the compressed representation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing complex compression algorithms, the patent uses a copying mechanism where the common prefix is copied once and referenced by multiple segment identifiers. This simple copying approach reduces processing complexity compared to traditional compression methods while achieving similar bandwidth efficiency gains.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method implemented by a first node in a segment routing (SR) network domain includes receiving, from a second node of another network domain, a packet configured to pass through the SR network domain in accordance with segment identifiers (SIDs). The method also includes obtaining compressed SIDs corresponding to some of the SIDs. The method includes generating a segment routing header (SRH) having a list of segments. The method further includes adding the SRH to the packet and forwarding the packet with the SRH to a third node in the SR network domain.