Software-defined service insertion in network fabrics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current service insertion methods in network fabrics are complex and resource-intensive, requiring manual configuration and infrastructure to interpret and redirect network traffic for service chaining, which can be costly and inefficient, especially when dealing with multiple services and dynamic network conditions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method to configure a network for service insertion by processing a master policy into location-specific policies, using distinguished names for services and edge devices, and employing traffic steering directives to dynamically route network traffic through a service graph, leveraging the Locator/ID Separation Protocol (LISP) for efficient service instance registration and traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration and infrastructure are used to interpret and redirect network traffic for service chaining, then service insertion can be implemented, but the system becomes complex and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between network traffic and service functions. The service gateway receives traffic steering directives from a controller and automatically redirects traffic to appropriate service instances, eliminating the need for manual configuration at each network device while maintaining service insertion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated service instance registration and traffic steering directive generation. Service instances automatically register with the service gateway, which then autonomously generates and updates traffic steering directives based on service requirements, removing the need for manual intervention in service chaining configuration
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple services are chained together with manual configuration, then comprehensive service coverage is achieved, but resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service chaining where traffic steering directives are automatically updated based on real-time service instance registration and network conditions. The service gateway dynamically adjusts traffic routing to optimize resource utilization while maintaining comprehensive service coverage, allowing service chains to adapt to changing network states without manual reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters automatically by generating traffic steering directives that encode service chain policies. These directives dynamically modify traffic flow parameters based on service requirements and network conditions, enabling efficient resource utilization across multiple chained services without manual parameter adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If service insertion infrastructure is expanded to handle dynamic network conditions, then service flexibility improves, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service gateway is designed as a universal component that handles multiple service types and network conditions through a single platform. It provides multi-functional capabilities including service instance registration, traffic steering directive generation, and dynamic policy enforcement, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure components for each service type or condition
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for software-defined service insertion. The techniques include a method of configuring a network for service insertion. The techniques include processing a master policy correlating an endpoint group pair, of source endpoint group and destination endpoint group, to a service graph. The service graph indicates a template service chain, and the template service chain indicates an ordering of a plurality of services. Processing the master policy includes disaggregating the master policy into at least one location specific policy, each of the at least one location specific policy corresponding to a separate location in the network and including traffic steering directives corresponding to a portion of the plurality of services associated with the separate location. The techniques further include causing each of the at least one location specific policy to be stored in association with the separate location to which that location specific policy corresponds.