Method and apparatus for tracing paths in service function chains

An apparatus comprising:

• an interface for receiving a trace request packet at a service node on a service chain;
• a processor for processing the trace request packet and determining whether to forward the trace request packet on the service chain or generate a trace report packet based on a comparison of a service index to a service index limit in the trace request packet;
• and
• memory for storing service function information comprising load information;
• wherein the trace report packet comprises the service function information for a plurality of service functions in the service chain and the trace request packet is forwarded on the service chain according to a service path identifier and the service index.

An apparatus comprising:

• an interface for transmitting a trace request packet and receiving a trace report packet on a service chain;
• a processor for generating the trace request packet and processing the trace report packet to identify a status of a service function path of the service chain;
• and
• memory for storing service function information from the trace report packet, the service information comprising load information for a plurality of service nodes on the service chain;
• wherein the trace request packet comprises a fixed service index limit for use in identifying a service node in the service chain to generate the trace report packet.