Service Bitmask-Based Service Application in Service Function Chaining
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsNagendra Kumar Nainar, Carlos M. Pignataro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer-implemented method performed at a classifier network element includes receiving a flow of packets subject to a Service Function Path. The Service Function Path defines which service functions a flow will receive and the order in which the service functions will be provided. A service bitmask is generated that indicates that one or more service function will be skipped. The classifier network element encapsulates the flow as a payload with a Network Service Header comprising a Service Function Path identifier, a service index, and the service bitmask.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- receiving at a classifier network element, a flow of packets subject to a service function path comprising a plurality of service functions in a specific order;
- generate a service bitmask that indicates one or more service functions will be skipped;
- and
- encapsulating packets of the flow as a payload with a network service header comprising a service function path identifier, a service index, and the service bitmask.
A method comprising:
- receiving at a first network element associated with a first service function, information defining a service function path that comprises a plurality of service functions in a specific order;
- receiving an encapsulated packets of a flow subject to the service function path, the encapsulated packets comprising a payload and a network service header including a service function path identifier, a service index, and a service bitmask that indicates that one or more of the service functions in the service function path will be skipped;
- sending the payload to a first computing device to perform the first service function;
- and
- receiving a serviced payload from the first computing device.
A method comprising:
- generating information defining a service function path that comprises a plurality of service functions in a specific order;
- sending the information to a plurality of network elements, each network element associated with at least one service function;
- determining that a first flow of packets will skip one or more service functions of the plurality of service functions in the service function path;
- and
- sending a first indication to a first classifier network element that the first flow of packets will skip the one or more service functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.