Service Routing System for Mobile Gateway Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing service routing systems in mobile gateways, where value-added service servers are connected in series, lead to reduced network reliability and increased network delay due to the potential failure of any service enabler and unnecessary processing by all enablers, regardless of need.

Innovation Solution

A service routing system comprising a service flow classifier, a service path controller, and programmable switches, where the classifier generates a notification message with service flow category information to determine a service chain, and the controller generates forwarding entries for programmable switches to process data packets in a specific sequence, ensuring only necessary service enablers are engaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all service enablers are connected in series between the mobile gateway and the server, then comprehensive service processing is achieved, but network reliability decreases and network delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice processing coverageVSAvoidnetwork reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service enabler processing by introducing programmable switches that can dynamically divide service flows into different paths. Instead of forcing all flows through a fixed series of service enablers, the system segments flows based on their specific needs, directing them only to the necessary service enablers. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining service processing coverage while avoiding the reliability issues caused by series connections of all enablers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic service routing using programmable switches controlled by a controller that receives flow classification information. The routing paths are dynamically adjusted based on service flow characteristics, allowing the system to adaptively connect service enablers only when needed. This dynamic approach eliminates the static series connection problem while preserving comprehensive service processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If all service enablers process every service flow, then complete service processing is ensured, but network delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice processing completenessVSAvoidnetwork delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts unnecessary service enablers from the processing path by using programmable switches to redirect flows. The controller determines which service enablers are actually needed for each flow and configures the switches accordingly, taking out redundant processing steps. This ensures complete service processing for necessary enablers while eliminating delay caused by unnecessary processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing service flows through only the subset of service enablers that are actually needed, rather than forcing all flows through all enablers. The system performs exactly the necessary processing and no more, avoiding the excessive action that causes unnecessary delay while maintaining processing completeness for required services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If service enablers are connected in series, then service processing capability is comprehensive, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice processing capabilityVSAvoidnetwork structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces programmable switches as universal routing devices that can dynamically configure service paths. These switches serve multiple functions: flow classification, path determination, and dynamic routing configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated complex series connections for each service type, simplifying the overall network structure while maintaining comprehensive service processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2993835B1Service routing system, device and method
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2993835B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2993835B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2993835B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a service routing system, device, and method. The system includes: a first service flow classifier, a service path controller, h programmable switches, and m service enablers, where there is a first interface between the first service flow classifier and the service path controller, there is a second interface between the service path controller and each of the h programmable switches, each service enabler of the m service enablers is connected to one of the h programmable switches, and the h programmable switches are interconnected. In embodiments of the present invention, a first service flow classifier generates a notification message that includes service flow category information, a service path controller generates, according to the notification message, a first forwarding entry corresponding to each of i programmable switches that are connected to k service enablers, and the i programmable switches each forward a data packet of a service flow according to the corresponding first forwarding entries, so that the k service enablers process the data packet of the service flow according to a sequence. In this way, network reliability can be improved.