SRv6 Packet Re-Encapsulation for Simpler Policy Forwarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of SRv6 policy is increased due to the requirement of decapsulating and then forwarding SRv6 data packets without allowing for re-encapsulation, particularly in edge computing and distributed networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for SRv6 data packet forwarding that involves decapsulating SRv6 packets to obtain user data messages and re-encapsulating them with new IPv6 headers and/or SRHs to indicate new forwarding paths, simplifying the SRv6 policy by implementing decapsulating and encapsulating behaviors on a single SRv6 node.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If SRv6 data packets are decapsulated and forwarded without re-encapsulation, then forwarding simplicity is maintained, but policy complexity increases especially in edge computing and distributed networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforwarding simplicityVSAvoidpolicy complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the decapsulation and re-encapsulation operations into a single SRv6 node, allowing the node to both remove and add SRv6 headers as needed. This combining of previously separate operations (decapsulation at ingress, re-encapsulation at egress) into one unified node simplifies policy management while maintaining forwarding flexibility, directly resolving the technical contradiction between forwarding simplicity and policy complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If re-encapsulation is allowed on SRv6 nodes, then traffic management flexibility improves, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic management flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic behavior selection where SRv6 nodes can adaptively choose between decapsulation-only mode and decapsulation-plus-re-encapsulation mode based on traffic requirements and network conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to flexibly manage traffic while avoiding unnecessary processing complexity in scenarios where re-encapsulation is not needed, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4723579A1Srv6 data packet forwarding method, apparatus and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP4723579A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4723579A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4723579A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided in the present disclosure are an SRv6 data packet forwarding method, an apparatus and a storage medium. The method comprises: decapsulating an SRv6 data packet to obtain a user data message; re-encapsulating the user data message, wherein the re-encapsulated SRv6 data packet comprises a new IPv6 header, or a new IPv6 header and a new segment routing header (SRH); and forwarding the re-encapsulated SRv6 data packet to a next-hop node.