SRv6 Segment List Compression for Shorter Packet Forwarding Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The length of segment lists in Segment Routing over IPv6 (SRv6) networks increases packet size, reducing network transmission and processing efficiency due to the extensive use of segment identifiers (SIDs), which complicates packet processing and requires significant network resources.
Innovation Solution
A method to generate a compressed segment list by comparing adjacent segment identifiers in the original list, generating compressed segment identifiers that are in a one-to-one correspondence with the original segment identifiers, with a length less than the original segment identifiers, thereby reducing the overall length of the segment list.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the segment list includes all original segment identifiers to ensure complete forwarding path information, then the forwarding functionality is maintained, but the packet length increases and transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary segment identifier information from the complete original segment list. By identifying and removing redundant segments that do not contribute to the actual forwarding path, the solution reduces packet length while preserving the essential forwarding functionality through the compressed segment list.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of segment identifier representation from full-length original identifiers to compressed identifiers. This parameter transformation maintains the semantic meaning of the segment list while significantly reducing its length, thereby improving packet transmission efficiency without sacrificing forwarding reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the segment list is lengthy to include all forwarding path nodes, then the forwarding path is fully specified, but packet processing efficiency is reduced due to increased processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes redundant segment identifiers from the forwarding path specification. By identifying segments that do not add meaningful routing information and eliminating them, the solution maintains the essential forwarding path specification while reducing processing complexity and improving packet processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the segment list into meaningful portions, separating essential forwarding information from redundant segments. This segmentation allows the compressed segment list to retain the critical forwarding path specification while discarding unnecessary portions, thereby improving processing efficiency without losing adaptability.
3Length of moving object
If the segment list is compressed to reduce packet length, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the segment list length may become too short to maintain proper forwarding control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to transform segment identifiers into a compressed representation that maintains sufficient information for forwarding control. By carefully controlling the compression parameters and preserving essential segment characteristics, the solution achieves reduced segment list length while ensuring forwarding control reliability is maintained.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a method that includes obtaining by a network device an original segment list corresponding to a packet forwarding path, where the original segment list includes original segment identifiers that are sequentially arranged, and each of the original segment identifiers that are sequentially arranged corresponds to one node or link on the packet forwarding path. The method further includes comparing by the network device a plurality of successively adjacent original segment identifiers in the original segment list, to generate a plurality of successively adjacent compressed segment identifiers, where a length of each compressed segment identifier is less than a length of a corresponding original segment identifier, and generating by the network device a compressed segment list, where the compressed segment list includes a plurality of compressed segment identifiers, and the compressed segment list is used to forward a packet along the packet forwarding path.