Encoding a payload hash in the DA-MAC to facilitate elastic chaining of packet processing elements
US9160666B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/15
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is implemented in a network element of a service network. The network element executes a packet processing element (PPE) of a plurality of PPEs, where each PPE in the plurality of PPEs executes a stage of packet processing for the service network and where the plurality of PPEs are connected to one another by a plurality of switch fabrics. The PPEs self-select a subset of a set of equivalent service chains to service with each service chain defining a subset and sequence of the plurality of PPEs. Each PPE self-selects the subset of equivalent service chains to process based upon knowledge of the plurality of PPEs servicing that stage of the full set of service chains such that there is spreading of load across all available PPEs in that stage. There is no single point of failure and minimal reassignment of PPEs for a set of equivalent data flows traversing the plurality of PPEs of the service network for changes in topography of the plurality of PPEs in the service network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.