Distributing service function chain data and service function instance data in a network

A computing system comprising:

• one or more processors operably coupled to a memory;
• a service function instance configured for execution by the one or more processors to apply a service function;
• and
• a service function forwarder configured for execution by the one or more processors to:
• receive, according to a layer 3 routing protocol, a service function instance route advertisement that includes service function instance data for the service function instance, the service function instance data indicating a service function type and a service identifier that uniquely identifies the service function instance among service function instances of the service function type;
• receive, according to the layer 3 routing protocol, a service function chain route advertisement that includes service function chain data for a service function chain, the service function chain data indicating a service path identifier and one or more service function items;
• and
• send, to the service function instance and based at least on determining that a service function item of the one or more service function items indicates the service function instance, a packet classified to the service function chain.

A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, are configured to cause one or more processors of a computing system to:

• receive, according to a layer 3 routing protocol, a service function instance route advertisement that includes service function instance data for a service function instance, the service function instance data indicating a service function type and a service identifier that uniquely identifies the service function instance among service function instances of the service function type;
• receive, according to the layer 3 routing protocol, a service function chain route advertisement that includes service function chain data for a service function chain, the service function chain data indicating a service path identifier and one or more service function items;
• and
• send, to the service function instance and based at least on determining that a service function item of the one or more service function items indicates the service function instance, a packet classified to the service function chain.