Service Function Path ID Allocation for Signaling Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing network architectures, the configuration of service function chains (SFCs) requires significant signaling overhead and storage space due to the need for multiple service function instances (SFs) and corresponding forwarding entries, leading to inefficient processing of network service flows.
Innovation Solution
A method where the SFC controller generates service function path (SFP) elements based on the service chain request, distinguishing between stateless and stateful SFs, and allocates SFP IDs, allowing service forwarding devices to select appropriate SF instances for processing, reducing the number of SFPs and SFP IDs, and optimizing signaling and storage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the SFC controller selects specific SF instances for each SFP to implement load balancing, then load distribution is improved, but the quantity of SFPs and SFP IDs increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the selection of multiple specific SF instances into a single representative instance per SF type. Instead of creating separate SFPs for each instance, the system combines them by selecting one representative instance to handle the SFP, thereby reducing the total quantity of SFPs while maintaining load balancing capability across all instances of that SF type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single SFP instance universal by enabling it to represent multiple SF instances of the same type. The selected representative SFP can handle service flows that would otherwise be distributed across multiple instances, giving it a multi-functional role that reduces the overall number of SFPs needed in the system.
2Manufacturing precision
If the SFC controller allocates unique SFP IDs to each SFP, then service flow routing precision is improved, but signaling overhead and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple SFP ID allocations into a single allocation per SF type. Instead of assigning unique SFP IDs to each individual SF instance, the system combines them by allocating one SFP ID to the representative instance, thereby reducing signaling overhead and storage requirements while maintaining sufficient routing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential routing information needed for service flow precision by selecting only the representative instance's SFP ID, rather than including SFP IDs for all possible instances. This extraction maintains routing precision for the selected instance while eliminating the need to manage and transmit numerous additional SFP IDs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the SFF stores forwarding entries for each SFP ID, then forwarding accuracy is improved, but device complexity and storage space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple forwarding entries into a single entry per SF type by using the representative instance's SFP ID. Instead of maintaining separate forwarding entries for each SF instance, the system combines them into one entry that routes service flows to the representative instance, thereby reducing device complexity and storage space requirements while maintaining forwarding accuracy for the selected instance.
4Reliability
If multiple specific SF instances are deployed for one SF, then service availability and load distribution are improved, but the complexity of SFC configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a representative SF instance as an intermediary between the SFC controller and multiple actual SF instances. The representative instance serves as a mediator that the SFC controller can configure and manage, while it in turn distributes service flows to the underlying multiple instances. This intermediary approach maintains service availability through multiple instances while simplifying configuration complexity by providing a single point of management.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present application provide a service flow processing method, an apparatus, and a device. In the embodiments of the present application, SFs are classified, and a specific instance is not selected for a stateless SF, which can effectively reduce a quantity of SFPs and a quantity of SFP IDs used to uniquely identify the SFPs, reduce signaling overheads required by a controller to configure an SFP for an SFF, and reduce storage space of each SFF for storing configuration information.