Dynamic end-to-end network path setup across multiple network layers with network service chaining

摘要

In general, techniques are described for improving network path computation for requested paths that include a chain of service points that provide network services to traffic flows traversing the requested path through a network along the service chain. In some examples, a controller network device receives a request for network connectivity between a service entry point and a service exit point for a service chain for application to packet flows associated to the service chain. The device, for each pair of the service points in the particular order and using the active topology information, computes at least one end-to-end sub-path through the sub-network connecting the pair of the service points according to a constraint and computes, using the at least one end-to-end sub-path for each pair of the service points, a service path between the service entry point and the service exit point for the service chain.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a controller network device of a network, a request for network connectivity between a service entry point and a service exit point for a service chain of three or more service points, each of the service points performing a respective service, to provide a composite service for application to packet flows associated to the service chain; receiving and storing, by the controller network device, active topology information for the network; for each pair of the service points in the service chain and by the controller using the active topology information, computing at least one end-to-end sub-path through a sub-network of the network, the at least one end-to-end sub-path connecting the pair of the service points according to a constraint; computing, by the controller network device and using the at least one end-to-end sub-path for each pair of the service points, a service path between the service entry point and the service exit point for the service chain; and sending, by the controller network device to at least one layer of the network, one or more messages to configure the at least one layer of the network to establish the service path between the service entry point and the service exit point for the service chain.