Method and apparatus for processing service flow in packet network

A first network device, comprising:

• a memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to cause the first network device to:
• obtain a first uplink service flow, wherein the first uplink service flow is based on a fourth uplink service flow that is from a third network device;
• obtain a second uplink service flow, wherein the second uplink service flow is based on a fifth uplink service flow that is from a second network device;
• select, based on a value of a reference signal number, a first data packet that is from the first uplink service flow or the second uplink service flow, wherein the first data packet comprises a first sequence number that is greater than or equal to the value of the reference signal number;
• discard, based on the value of the reference signal number, a second data packet that is from the first uplink service flow or the second uplink service flow, wherein the second data packet comprises a second sequence number that is less than the value of the reference signal number;
• obtain a third uplink service flow based on the first uplink service flow and the second uplink service flow, wherein the third uplink service flow comprises the first data packet;
• send the third uplink service flow to a next hop in an uplink direction of the first network device;
• update, after sending the third uplink service flow, the value of the reference signal number to the first sequence number from the first data packet;
• receive the fourth uplink service flow from the third network device;
• and
• send a sixth uplink service flow to the second network device,
• wherein the sixth uplink service flow is based on the fourth uplink service flow, and
• wherein the sixth uplink service flow is the fourth uplink service flow or is based on copying the fourth uplink service flow.

A computer program product comprising instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a first network device to:

• obtain a first uplink service flow, wherein the first uplink service flow is based on a fourth uplink service flow that is from a third network device;
• obtain a second uplink service flow, wherein the second uplink service flow is based on a fifth uplink service flow that is from a second network device;
• select, based on a value of a reference signal number, a first data packet that is from the first uplink service flow or the second uplink service flow, wherein the first data packet comprises a first sequence number that is greater than or equal to the value of the reference signal number;
• discard, based on the value of the reference signal number, a second data packet that is from the first uplink service flow or the second uplink service flow, wherein the second data packet comprises a second sequence number that is less than the value of the reference signal number;
• obtain a third uplink service flow based on the first uplink service flow and the second uplink service flow, wherein the third uplink service flow comprises the first data packet;
• send the third uplink service flow to a next hop in an uplink direction of the first network device;
• update, after sending the third uplink service flow, the value of the reference signal number to be the first sequence number from the first data packet;
• receive the fourth uplink service flow from the third network device;
• and
• send a sixth uplink service flow to the second network device,
• wherein the sixth uplink service flow is based on the fourth uplink service flow, and
• wherein the sixth uplink service flow is the fourth uplink service flow or is based on copying the fourth uplink service flow.