Unified SR Label Stack for Packet Forwarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Segment Routing (SR) technologies require different label stack formats for various forwarding planes, leading to complexity in end-to-end forwarding, increased application complexity, and difficulties in extending SR to new forwarding planes, as they lack a unified label stack format.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Unified Segment Routing Header (U-SRH) with a compatibility indicator allows for a unified SR label stack format across different forwarding planes, enabling seamless adaptation and processing without requiring specific label stacks for each plane, by allocating compatibility indicators such as reserved labels, extension headers, or UDP port numbers based on the forwarding plane type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different label stack formats are adopted for different forwarding planes, then compatibility with specific forwarding plane technologies is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines a universal SR label stack format that can be applied across multiple forwarding planes (MPLS, IPv6, IPv4, etc.). Instead of creating separate label stack formats for each forwarding plane, a single unified format is designed that can accommodate different plane requirements through flexible field definitions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified SR label stack format uses parameterization to adapt to different forwarding planes. By changing specific parameters within the unified structure (such as label encoding methods, header formats, or interpretation rules), the same basic label stack format can serve multiple forwarding plane technologies without increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different label stack formats are adapted for different forwarding planes, then specific forwarding plane requirements are met, but ease of operation deteriorates due to adaptive encapsulation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The unified SR label stack format eliminates the need for applications to sense and adapt to specific forwarding plane technologies. A single encapsulation format works across all forwarding planes, simplifying the application layer and making operations easier while still meeting the specific requirements of each forwarding plane through the flexible unified structure.
3Reliability
If separate label stack formats are defined for different forwarding planes, then forwarding plane-specific functionality is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates when extending to new forwarding planes
Solution Approach 1:
The unified SR label stack format provides a foundation that can be extended to new forwarding planes without requiring separate format definitions. The universal structure allows new forwarding plane requirements to be accommodated by configuring or extending parameters within the existing unified format, maintaining both reliability for existing planes and adaptability for future extensions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If translation of label stack format is performed at forwarding boundary nodes, then compatibility between different forwarding planes is achieved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The unified SR label stack format eliminates the need for format translation at forwarding boundary nodes. Since the same unified format is used across all forwarding planes, packets can traverse boundary nodes without requiring format conversion, thereby maintaining compatibility between different forwarding planes while improving packet forwarding efficiency by removing unnecessary processing steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for processing a packet using a unified SR label stack, relating to the field of PTN. The method comprises: allocating, according to the type of a forwarding plane, a compatible indicator configured to indicate carrying a unified U-SRH for a service packet entering the forwarding plane; adding an SR label stack, the U-SRH, and the compatible indicator to the service packet to obtain an extended packet; and processing and forwarding the extended packet on the forwarding plane according to the SR label stack, the U-SRH, and the compatible indicator. According to embodiments of the present invention, a unified SR label stack is used to simplify the application of the SR technology in different forwarding planes, and the unity of SR package format is enhanced.