Service Function Chaining Traffic Engineering via Segment Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service function chaining in communication networks poses challenges due to the distributed nature of service functions across multiple nodes, requiring adjustments in traffic engineering, flow control, and packet forwarding to maintain defined service function chains while optimizing data flows.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for supporting service function chaining in a communication network by determining service segments, calculating demand values, and performing traffic engineering optimization, which involves resource allocation respecting flow group conservation and link capacity constraints, and controlling network operations to ensure packets follow specified sequences of service nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service function chaining is implemented with distributed service functions across multiple nodes, then service functionality and flexibility are improved, but traffic engineering complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into node groups with designated source nodes, destination nodes, and service nodes. Service functions are divided into discrete service functions that can be independently selected and chained. This segmentation allows complex service chains to be built from modular components while maintaining manageable complexity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service function chains as intermediaries between source nodes and destination nodes. These chains act as mediators that process traffic flows through a sequence of service functions, enabling flexible service deployment without directly complicating the underlying traffic engineering. The service chain framework absorbs the complexity of coordinating multiple distributed service functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If service function chains are enforced across distributed nodes, then service packet routing precision is improved, but flow control and packet forwarding computation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of service segments and their associated demands before actual packet forwarding. By pre-calculating which service segments packets will traverse and determining the aggregate demands of source nodes for each segment, the system prepares routing information in advance. This preliminary action reduces real-time computation requirements at packet forwarding nodes while maintaining precise routing control.
3Productivity
If resource allocation is optimized for service function chains, then network efficiency and data rates are improved, but constraint calculation and resource management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for resource allocation from individual flow-based metrics to service segment-based aggregate demands. By determining the total demand of all source nodes for each service segment and using these aggregate parameters for resource allocation, the system simplifies constraint calculations while still optimizing network efficiency for service function chains.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus supporting service function chaining in a communication network is provided. Service function chaining requires packets of a service to pass through a defined sequence of service nodes of the network. Traffic engineering support includes defining service segments, determining demands for each service segment, determining flow group conservation constraints using the determined demands, and determining a resource allocation for data links which respects the flow group conservation constraints along with a link capacity constraint. A service-based forwarding operation re-labels packets as they traverse each service segment, and forwards packets toward a destination service node of each service segment.