Traffic Classifier Service Identifier Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data center networks face challenges in implementing unified service processing for packets, as existing solutions lack efficient mechanisms for identifying and routing packets through sequences of service nodes for comprehensive service handling, such as firewall and NAT processing.

Innovation Solution

A packet processing system comprising a controller, traffic classifier, and service routing triggers that send policy information to identify and route packets through sequences of service nodes, enabling unified management and service processing by adding a service identifier to packets and triggering service nodes in a specific order based on policy information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If service processing is performed on packets in data center networks, then service capabilities (firewall, NAT, home control) are provided, but the system lacks efficient mechanisms for identifying and routing packets through sequences of service nodes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice processing capabilityVSAvoidpacket routing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service processing system into distinct functional components: traffic classifiers that identify packets based on filtering rules, service routing triggers that determine routing paths, and service nodes that execute specific services. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of packet processing, improving overall system adaptability while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces service identifiers as intermediary elements that bridge packet classification and service routing. These identifiers act as mediators that carry service processing requirements through the network, enabling efficient packet routing without complex direct routing mechanisms. The service identifier serves as a compact representation that triggers appropriate service node sequences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service processing are provided for different packets, then comprehensive service handling is achieved, but the mechanism for routing packets through service node sequences becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple service processingVSAvoidservice node sequencing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates universal service routing triggers that can handle multiple service processing scenarios through a unified mechanism. These triggers use service identifiers to determine appropriate service node sequences, allowing the same routing infrastructure to support diverse service combinations (firewall, NAT, home control) without requiring separate routing mechanisms for each service type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from complex routing rules to simplified service identifiers. By transforming packet service requirements into compact identifier parameters, the system can efficiently route packets through appropriate service node sequences. This parameter transformation reduces the complexity of service node sequencing while maintaining the ability to handle multiple service processing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If unified service processing is implemented for packets, then service management is improved, but the system requires efficient packet identification and routing mechanisms that currently do not exist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice managementVSAvoidpacket identification and routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring service routing triggers with service identifier to service node sequence mappings. This preliminary setup allows the system to efficiently route packets through appropriate service nodes without complex real-time decision-making. The traffic classifiers are also pre-configured with filtering rules that enable immediate packet identification upon receipt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses service identifiers as simplified copies or representations of complex service processing requirements. Instead of managing full service configuration details in the routing path, the system uses compact identifier copies that trigger the appropriate service node sequences. This copying mechanism simplifies packet identification and routing while maintaining unified service processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP2993821B1Stream classifier, service routing trigger, and message processing method and system
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2993821B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)
  • EP2993821B1 patent drawingFigure 1(b)
  • EP2993821B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)

AI summary

A packet processing method includes: receiving, by a traffic classifier, a first packet; determining, by the traffic classifier, in policy information in the traffic classifier and according to a first filtering rule that matches the first packet, a first service identifier that matches the first filtering rule, and an address, which matches the first filtering rule, of a first service routing trigger, where the policy information includes: a filtering rule, an address of a service routing trigger, and a service identifier corresponding to the filtering rule, where the filtering rule is used to identify a packet, and the service identifier is used to represent a sequence of a service node that processes the packet; and sending, by the traffic classifier, a second packet to the first service routing trigger, where the second packet is formed by adding the first service identifier to the first packet.