Segment Routing Packet Policies for Asymmetric Traffic Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet switching technologies face challenges in efficiently managing packet forwarding and routing in high-speed, high-capacity networks, particularly in ensuring bidirectional communication paths and optimizing traffic flow based on asymmetric traffic patterns, which affects network performance and service quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of segment routing techniques using signaled segment identifiers in packet lists, allowing segment routing nodes to update and process packets by replacing or adding segment identifiers to steer packets through optimized paths, ensuring efficient forwarding and quality of service, while accommodating bidirectional and asymmetric traffic scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional packet switching technology is used for forwarding packets based on network nodes or paths, then packet routing can be implemented, but packet forwarding efficiency and quality of service deteriorate in high-speed networks with asymmetric traffic patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet routing process into discrete segment identifiers that can be independently processed. Each segment represents a specific path or policy instruction, allowing routers to efficiently process packets by matching segment identifiers rather than performing complex path calculations, thereby improving forwarding efficiency while maintaining service quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and encoding routing policies into segment identifiers before packets enter the network. These segment identifiers contain pre-determined path information and policy instructions, enabling routers to forward packets based on simple identifier matching rather than real-time decision-making, thus enhancing both speed and reliability
2Reliability
If segment routing with signaled segment identifiers is implemented to dynamically adjust packet paths, then quality of service and network performance improve, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces segment identifiers as intermediary elements that mediate between complex routing policies and simple forwarding operations. These identifiers act as compact representations of intricate path instructions, allowing sophisticated quality of service policies to be implemented without increasing router processing complexity, as routers only need to match and forward based on identifier values
3Productivity
If asymmetric traffic path optimization is implemented to accommodate different traffic patterns, then network performance improves, but device complexity and path management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embraces asymmetry by allowing different segment identifier sequences for forward and return traffic paths. This enables optimization of each direction independently based on actual traffic patterns, achieving superior network performance. The complexity is managed by treating each direction's path as a separate segment routing problem rather than attempting symmetric path management
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, segment routing network processing of packets is performed, including using segment routing packet policies and functions providing segment routing processing signaling and packet forwarding efficiencies in a network. A segment routing node signals to another segment routing node using a signaled segment identifier in a segment list of a segment routing packet with the segments left identifying a segment list element above the signaled segment identifier. A downstream segment routing node receives the segment routing packet, obtains this signaled segment identifier, and performs processing of one or more packets based thereon. In one embodiment, a provider edge node replaces its own segment identifier in a received customer packet, with a downstream customer node using the replaced (signaling) segment identifier (of a provider edge node/segment routing function) for accessing a return path through the provider network.