Segment Routing with Delayed FID Mapping for Dynamic Service Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of multi-cloud interconnection using Segment Routing v6 (SRv6), dynamic changes in service locations cause inconsistencies between actual optimal computing host/service IP addresses and pre-allocated destination IP addresses, leading to increased computing delays and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A segment routing method that postpones 'name-address mapping' to the routing phase by using functional function identifiers (FIDs) instead of IPv6 addresses, allowing routers to determine optimal computing hosts/service IPs with the shortest actual delay or strongest computing capability during routing, thus resolving address inconsistencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If early binding (name-address mapping) is used to determine destination IP addresses before routing phase, then routing decision is made in advance, but address inconsistency occurs when service locations dynamically change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting decision timeVSAvoidaddress consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static early binding mechanism into a dynamic delayed binding mechanism. Instead of fixing name-address mapping before routing, the system performs mapping during the routing phase when actual service locations are known, allowing the binding time to adapt dynamically to changing network conditions and service positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where routing information is collected and processed during the routing phase, and the results feed back into the name-address mapping process. This feedback loop ensures that address mappings are updated based on actual service location information, resolving inconsistencies caused by dynamic changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If computing services are processed at edge locations, then network delay is reduced, but computing delay increases due to service location changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork transmission speedVSAvoidcomputing processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the computing service selection process adaptive. Instead of using pre-determined edge locations, the system dynamically selects optimal computing hosts based on real-time service location information and routing phase data, allowing the computing path to adjust to changing conditions while maintaining network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If destination IP addresses are allocated before routing phase, then routing configuration is simplified, but dynamic service location changes cause address inconsistency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting configuration simplicityVSAvoidservice location adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static pre-allocated address system into a dynamic delayed allocation system. Address mapping is performed during the routing phase when service location information is available, enabling the system to adapt to dynamic service movements while maintaining configuration simplicity through automated routing-based address determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces routing information as an intermediary between service location data and address allocation. Instead of directly mapping names to addresses before routing, the system uses routing phase information as an intermediate step to determine addresses, bridging the gap between simplified configuration and dynamic adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4024781B1Segment routing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4024781B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4024781B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4024781B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a segment routing method and apparatus. The method includes: An ingress routing device receives a packet sent by a terminal device; and obtains a functional function program corresponding to the packet of the terminal device. The functional function program is used to indicate one or more sequential computing processing steps/instructions, service processing steps/instructions, or network processing steps/instructions, the functional function program includes one or more sequentially placed functional function identifiers FID, and each FID is used to represent one computing processing step/instruction, service processing step/instruction, or network processing step/instruction. The ingress routing device determines, based on a forwarding information base FIB or a routing information base RIB, one of an IP address prefix, an egress routing device address, or an egress port corresponding to a sequentially placed first FID, and forwards the packet based on the determined one of the IP address prefix, the egress routing device address, or the egress port.