Conditional Serverless Function Routing via Segment Routing Branch Statements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service function chaining (SFC) using segment routing is limited by its linear routing approach, which lacks flexibility in handling different traffic conditions and service requirements.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of branch statements in segment routing lists that include a serverless function ID and multiple segment IDs, allowing packets to be routed differently based on the results of serverless functions, enabling conditional routing and bypassing unnecessary services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If linear segment routing is used in service function chaining, then the routing structure is simple and easy to implement, but the flexibility to handle different traffic conditions and service requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the routing structure into linear segments and branch segments. Each segment represents a sequence of service functions, and branch segments allow conditional routing based on serverless function outputs. This segmentation enables flexible routing paths while maintaining manageable structure through modular segment definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing by allowing the routing path to change based on serverless function evaluation results. The branch statements enable the routing structure to adapt dynamically to different traffic conditions and service requirements, transforming static linear routing into dynamic conditional routing.
2Productivity
If all packets are routed through the same service chain, then service processing is consistent, but network efficiency decreases due to unnecessary service applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different service processing paths to different packets based on their specific characteristics and requirements. By evaluating packets through serverless functions and routing them through appropriate service chains, each packet receives locally optimized processing rather than uniform treatment, improving overall network efficiency while maintaining appropriate service consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameter from fixed to dynamic by incorporating serverless function evaluation results. This allows the routing decision to vary based on packet characteristics, enabling efficient bypass of unnecessary services while ensuring required services are applied, thus improving productivity without compromising necessary service consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe branch statements for a segment routing (SR) list that are inserted into a packet header for use when performing Service function chaining (SFC). For example, the branch statement may be embedded within a SR list and includes a serverless function ID and two different segment IDs (SIDs). When reaching a network node assigned to perform the serverless function, the node uses the function ID to determine the appropriate serverless function to use when evaluating the packet and then uses the results of that function to determine which segment to use when forwarding the packet. Thus, rather than forming a linear chain, the branch statement permits the SR list to form different routes (depending on the results of the serverless function) as part of SFC.