Traceroute Aggregation in Service Function Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current traceroute technologies in service function domains struggle to efficiently collect and aggregate performance statistics across service function paths and domains, limiting the ability to provide comprehensive route analysis and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where traceroute packets are processed within service function domains to aggregate statistics such as packet counters, byte counters, and drop counters at the service function, service function forwarder, and domain levels, and returning these aggregated statistics to the originating device through a network service header, enabling detailed performance reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traceroute packets are processed individually at each service function, then route path information can be collected, but statistical aggregation across service function paths and domains is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges statistics collection and aggregation across multiple service functions by having intermediate devices forward both data plane packets and control plane statistics to a centralized controller. The controller consolidates statistics from multiple sources, enabling efficient aggregation while maintaining comprehensive measurement accuracy across the entire service function path.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive statistics are collected across all service functions, then diagnostic capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized controller as an intermediary that manages the complexity of statistics aggregation. The controller receives statistics from multiple service functions, performs the aggregation logic, and provides comprehensive diagnostic information. This intermediary approach maintains complete diagnostic information while centralizing the complex processing tasks.
3Length of moving object
If traceroute operates in service function domains with multiple hops, then route coverage is improved, but packet loss increases making route evaluation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the centralized controller monitors packet loss and route evaluation results across multiple service function hops. When packet loss exceeds thresholds or route evaluation fails, the system can adjust traceroute parameters, increase probe packets, or alternative path selection to maintain reliable route evaluation despite extended path coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet is received at a network device hosting a service function that is part of a service chain. The packet is sent to the network device from an originating network device. The content of the packet is analyzed to determine that the packet comprises a request for statistical values to be aggregated by the network device. The statistical values are aggregated at the network device. A report comprising the statistical values aggregated at the network device is generated. The report is sent to the originating network device.