SR-IOV Data Forwarding for Service Function Chaining
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of physical switches for data forwarding in Service Function Chains (SFCs) increases networking costs and complexity, while virtual switches often fail to meet performance requirements, and implementing SFCs in existing networks without support requires costly software upgrades and device replacements.
Innovation Solution
Employing Single Root Input/Output Virtualization (SR-IOV) technology to establish virtual network connections using a shared physical network adapter, enabling efficient data forwarding through virtual machines with built-in switches and VLAN tagging to simplify networking and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical switches are used to send packet data to execution ends, then data forwarding can be achieved, but networking costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses SR-IOV technology to create virtual network interfaces (virtual functions) that copy the capabilities of a physical network adapter. Multiple virtual execution ends can share a single physical network adapter through these virtual copies, eliminating the need for separate physical switches for each execution end while maintaining data forwarding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The physical network adapter is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously by supporting SR-IOV virtualization. A single physical adapter can serve multiple virtual execution ends with different service functions (firewall, load balancing, packet filtering) through virtual function instantiation, reducing the need for dedicated physical networking hardware for each function
2Device complexity
If virtual switches are used for data forwarding, then networking cost is reduced, but data forwarding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based virtual switch mechanism with a hardware-based SR-IOV virtualization approach. By using virtual functions that are directly supported by the physical network adapter hardware, the system eliminates the performance overhead associated with software packet processing while maintaining the cost benefits of virtualization
Solution Approach 2:
The SR-IOV virtual functions act as an intermediary layer between the physical network adapter and virtual execution ends. This intermediary enables direct hardware-assisted data forwarding paths that bypass the performance limitations of traditional virtual switches, allowing efficient packet transmission while maintaining network virtualization benefits
3Adaptability or versatility
If SFC is implemented in existing networks without support, then service function chaining can be achieved, but software upgrades and device replacements are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses SR-IOV to create virtual copies of network adapter functions that can operate within existing network infrastructure. By instantiating virtual functions that mimic traditional networking behavior, the system enables SFC deployment without requiring physical hardware changes or extensive software upgrades to existing network devices
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a data forwarding method, a forwarder, a system, a server and a storage medium. The method comprises: according to one or more service functions corresponding to packet data, determining a service execution end corresponding to each service function; establishing a network connection for each service execution end, wherein the established network connection is used for performing data interaction with a corresponding service execution end, and the network connection established for each service execution end is a virtual network connection established by means of the same physical network card; forwarding the packet data to each service execution end through a network connection established for each service execution end based on a predetermined service function processing sequence.