SFF Proxy Index Mapping for Stable Packet Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SFF Proxy technologies face disruptions in packet transmission when a Service Function (SF) updates the 5-tuple information, such as the destination address, leading to the inability to find the original SFC header.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a packet processing method where the SFF Proxy re-encapsulates a packet without the SFC header, using index information associated with the SFC header and identification information, ensuring uninterrupted packet transmission even after SF updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the SFF proxy uses 5-tuple identification information to associate SFC headers with packets, then packet tracking is simplified, but packet transmission is interrupted when SF updates the 5-tuple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces index information as an intermediary element between the SFC header and packet identification information. The index information serves as a mediator that maintains association between the SFC header and packet even when the packet's 5-tuple changes, allowing the SFF proxy to track packets reliably without direct dependency on volatile packet fields
Solution Approach 2:
The SFF proxy performs preliminary actions by recording the association between index information and SFC headers before packet processing. This preliminary recording ensures that when packets return with updated 5-tuples, the SFF proxy can still find the correct SFC header through the pre-established index information mapping
2Adaptability or versatility
If the SFF proxy removes and re-encapsulates SFC headers, then packet routing flexibility is improved, but packet transmission reliability deteriorates when SF modifies identification information
Solution Approach 1:
The index information acts as a stable intermediary that decouples the SFC header association from volatile packet identification fields. This allows the SFF proxy to maintain reliable packet tracking while still enabling flexible packet routing and processing
3Device complexity
If the SFF proxy records correspondence between SFC headers and 5-tuple identification information, then packet association is simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to SF address updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces index information as a stable intermediary layer between SFC headers and packet 5-tuple identification information. This intermediary maintains consistent associations even when the 5-tuple changes, providing both simplified packet association and adaptability to SF updates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for association from direct 5-tuple matching to index information-based association. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to SF address updates while maintaining simplified packet association through the index information mapping mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a packet processing method and apparatus, and relate to the communication field. The method includes: re-encapsulating a first packet from a first device to obtain a second packet, where the first packet includes first identification information and first service function chain (SFC) header encapsulation information, the second packet includes first index information and the first identification information and does not include the first SFC header encapsulation information, and the first index information is associated with the first SFC header encapsulation information and the first identification information; and sending the second packet to the second device based on the first SFC header encapsulation information. This can avoid impact on packet transmission after the second device modifies the identification information.