Service Function Forwarder Dynamic Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies face inefficiencies in orchestrating segment routing policies and managing workload pressure on service function chain ingress nodes, especially when virtual resource modules for service functions change.
Innovation Solution
A service packet forwarding method where a first Service Function Forwarder (SFF) receives packets, determines the next service function, and dynamically forwards packets based on configuration information of virtual resource modules, reducing the reliance on centralized orchestration and alleviating workload pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control node pre-orchestrates all segment routing policies for a service function chain with many service functions and multiple virtual resource modules per function, then complete service function chain orchestration is achieved, but the efficiency of orchestrating all segment routing policies becomes very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized orchestration process into distributed components. Instead of the control node orchestrating all segment routing policies centrally, each SFF (Service Function Forwarder) independently determines next-hop virtual resource modules based on local configuration information. This segmentation distributes the orchestration workload from the control node to multiple SFFs across the network, significantly reducing the time required to orchestrate segment routing policies while maintaining complete service function chain coverage.
2Ease of operation
If all packets are offloaded on the service function chain ingress node according to the determined segment routing policy, then packet forwarding control is centralized, but the workload pressure on the service function chain ingress node becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the packet forwarding decision-making function from the service function chain ingress node and distributes it to intermediate SFFs. Each SFF obtains configuration information about virtual resource modules and independently determines the next-hop virtual resource module for packet forwarding. This extraction reduces the workload pressure on the ingress node while maintaining centralized control through the segment routing policy framework, as the ingress node still initiates the forwarding process but intermediate nodes handle subsequent decisions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the control node re-orchestrates all segment routing policies when a virtual resource module correspondingly configured for a service function changes, then service function chain consistency is maintained, but the packet processing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation mechanisms where SFFs can independently respond to changes in virtual resource modules without requiring full re-orchestration by the control node. When a virtual resource module changes, the affected SFF updates its local configuration information and adjusts its forwarding decisions accordingly. This dynamic approach maintains service function chain consistency while reducing the complexity of the packet processing process, as changes are localized rather than requiring system-wide re-orchestration.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a service packet forwarding method and related apparatus. In the service packet forwarding method, when receiving a packet sent by any second virtual resource module connected to a first service function forwarder (SFF), the first SFF dynamically determines a forwarding path of the packet based on configuration information of a second virtual resource module for implementing a second service function, to achieve dynamic load balancing on the packet instead of relying on a service function chain ingress node to perform load balancing, so as to reduce pressure on the service function chain ingress node.