SRv6 Packet Forwarding with Minimum Bandwidth Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SRv6 forwarding technologies fail to accurately sense the minimum available bandwidth of forwarding paths, leading to potential packet loss due to insufficient bandwidth, as the controller and source node cannot timely switch paths when congestion occurs.

Innovation Solution

Implement a packet forwarding method that includes an IPv6 option header to carry the minimum available bandwidth of nodes in the SRv6 forwarding path, allowing the tail node to report this value, enabling the controller or source node to adjust paths accordingly and avoid packet loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple candidate paths are deployed on source node, then forwarding reliability is improved, but the ability to sense minimum available bandwidth in time deteriorates due to lack of bandwidth information feedback mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforwarding reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the tail node measures the minimum available bandwidth of the SRv6 forwarding path and feeds back this information to the source node. This is achieved by the tail node sending a measurement packet through the forwarding path, collecting bandwidth information from each node, and reporting the minimum value back to the source node, enabling informed path selection decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the tail node as an intermediary that performs bandwidth measurement and information collection. The tail node acts as a mediator between the actual bandwidth conditions on the forwarding path and the source node's path selection decision, translating physical bandwidth availability into actionable information for the controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If controller switches to standby candidate paths when primary paths are unavailable, then forwarding reliability is improved, but switching timeliness deteriorates due to inability to detect bandwidth status in real-time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforwarding reliabilityVSAvoidpath switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the controller proactively measure the minimum available bandwidth of candidate forwarding paths before they become unavailable. The controller sends measurement packets through candidate paths in advance, obtains bandwidth information, and prepares for potential switching, enabling faster response when primary paths fail or become congested.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If minimum available bandwidth information is not available, then packet forwarding is simple, but packet loss increases due to congestion on overloaded paths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket forwarding efficiencyVSAvoidpacket loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback to continuously monitor the minimum available bandwidth of forwarding paths and use this information for intelligent packet forwarding decisions. The source node receives bandwidth feedback from the tail node and adjusts path selection accordingly, forwarding packets through paths with sufficient bandwidth capacity to avoid congestion and packet loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4645809B1Packet forwarding method, apparatus, network device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.05.13 NEW H3C TECH CO LTD
  • EP4645809B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4645809B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4645809B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

Examples of the present disclosure provide a packet forwarding method and an packet forwarding apparatus, a network device and a storage medium, and relate to the technical field of communication. The method includes: acquiring a first packet, wherein the first packet includes a first IPv6 option header, and the first IPv6 option header includes a first bandwidth which is a minimum value among minimum available bandwidths of nodes in an SRv6 forwarding path, and the nodes in the SRv6 forwarding path include the first node and all previous-hop nodes of the first node; sending the first packet on the SRv6 forwarding path, so that a tail node reports a minimum value among minimum available bandwidths of all nodes in the SRv6 forwarding path. The problem of packet loss caused by the inability to sense the minimum available bandwidth of the SRv6 forwarding path can be avoided.