Service Function Path Optimization for Network Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for optimizing Service Function Paths (SFPs) in Service Function Chaining (SFC) fail to consider the impact of adding or removing Service Functions (SFs) on the performance and resource usage of primary and associated SFPs, leading to potential destabilization of network traffic and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that identify proposed modifications to a target SFP, determine the impact on associated SFPs, optimize these impacts based on predefined criteria, and reconfigure the SFP to minimize disruptions and optimize resource usage, while also triggering actions on associated SFPs to maintain performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an SF instance is included in the primary SFP, then the service coverage is improved, but the load on the SF increases affecting performance of primary and associated SFPs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary impact assessment before including an SF instance in the primary SFP. It evaluates how the inclusion will affect load and performance of both the primary SFP and associated SFPs, and only proceeds with inclusion if the impact is within acceptable thresholds, thus preventing performance degradation before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the load and performance metrics of SF instances in both primary and associated SFPs. When performance degradation is detected or predicted, the system provides feedback to adjust the SFP configuration, such as removing SF instances or triggering actions on associated SFPs to maintain optimal performance.
2Reliability
If an SF instance is excluded from the primary SFP, then the load on the SF is reduced, but the location of the SF instance becomes inappropriate for associated SFPs
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary impact assessment mechanism that evaluates the consequences of excluding an SF instance from the primary SFP. Before making exclusion decisions, it checks whether associated SFPs will be affected and whether alternative actions can be triggered to maintain service appropriateness, thus mediating between load reduction goals and service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of exclusion impacts on associated SFPs before actually excluding an SF instance. It assesses whether the SF instance location is critical for associated SFPs and only proceeds with exclusion if no negative impact occurs or if compensatory actions are taken, preventing service degradation in advance.
3Reliability
If modifications are made to the target SFP, then the performance of the target SFP is optimized, but the associated SFPs are destabilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary impact assessment on associated SFPs before making modifications to the target SFP. It evaluates potential destabilizing effects and only proceeds with modifications that are likely to maintain stability or triggers compensatory actions on associated SFPs in advance, preventing destabilization before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the stability status of associated SFPs continuously. When modifications to the target SFP are made, feedback mechanisms detect any destabilization in associated SFPs and trigger corrective actions to restore stability, ensuring that optimization of the target SFP does not compromise the overall system stability.
4Speed
If conventional path optimization is performed by minimizing inter-node latency, then the transmission speed is improved, but the impact on associated SFPs is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The system extends the path optimization function to serve multiple purposes: not only minimizing inter-node latency for speed improvement but also simultaneously assessing and managing the impact on associated SFPs. This multi-functional approach ensures that optimization decisions consider both performance and system-wide implications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary impact assessment mechanism that acts as a mediator between path optimization decisions and associated SFPs. Before finalizing optimization paths, it evaluates the impact information on associated SFPs and adjusts the optimization criteria or triggers compensatory actions, ensuring that speed optimization does not inadvertently harm other parts of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for optimizing SFPs associated with common service functions is disclosed. The method includes identifying at least one proposed modification to a target SFP. The method further includes determining at least one associated SFP impacted. The method includes determining at least one impact on each of the at least one associated SFP. The method includes optimizing the at least one impact on each of the at least one associated SFP to generate an optimized set of impacts. The method includes determining at least one action associated with each impact in the optimized set of impacts. The method includes optimizing the at least one action associated with each impact in the optimized set of impacts to generate an optimized set of actions. The method includes reconfiguring the target SFP based on a proposed modification and triggering, for one or more associated SFPs, an associated optimized set of actions.