Open platform architecture for integrating multiple heterogeneous network functions
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsKerry Fendick, Lampros Kalampoukas, Thomas Woo
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A platform for seamlessly hosts a plurality of disparate types of packet processing applications. One or more applications are loaded onto a service card on the platform. A programmable path structure is included that maps a logical path for processing of the packets through one or more of the plurality of service cards according to characteristics of the packets. Multiple path structures may be programmed into the platform to offer different service paths for different types of packets.
Claims17
A platform for performing processing of packets at the edge of a network, the platform comprising:
- a plurality of service cards of a forwarding plane, each service card configured to execute at least one application;
- a programmable service path structure, that maps a logical path for processing of the packets through one or more of the plurality of service cards according to characteristics of the packets;
- a plurality of input/output (I/O) cards, each I/O card configured to route packets from an ingress or to an egress of the platform;
- a fabric including a plurality of input and output ports configured to physically route the packets between one or more of the plurality of I/O cards and one or more of the plurality of service cards according to the programmable service path structure;
- and
- a control plane coupled to the forwarding plane, the control plane comprising at least one feature server configured to execute one or more customer-configured applications and to modify the programmable service path structure.
A system for processing a packet, comprising:
- a plurality of service applications, each configured to perform a specific segment of processing on the packet;
- a plurality of service paths, programmably configured to link a completion of processing of one specific segment of processing associated with one of the service applications to a start of processing of another specific segment of another of the service applications such that each portion of processing of the packet can be performed in a specific order and by any of the plurality of service applications specified by the plurality of service paths;
- a plurality of input/output (I/O) cards, each I/O card configured to route packets from an ingress or to an egress of the system, wherein at least one of the plurality of service paths provides a link between at least one of the plurality of service applications with at least one of the plurality of I/O cards;
- and
- a feature server configured to execute one or more customer-configured applications and to modify at least one of the plurality of service paths.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.