Integrated data plane for heterogeneous network services

摘要

Network services can be dynamically configured on an integrated data path by establishing control paths between data plane entities located on the integrated data path and service entities associated with the network services. In this way, routing for the integrated data path is performed with fewer restrictions than traditional data planes, which are largely limited by the relative locations of pre-configured network nodes in the service network. As a result, the integrated data path may traverse a shorter or more favorable route over the services network, thereby achieving improved service network performance, lower latency periods, less congestion, etc. Further, a service topology on the integrated data path can be dynamically re-configured through the addition, removal, or reordering of data plane entities on the integrated data path.

主权项

1. A method for providing integrated services on a data plane, the method comprising:
identifying a traffic flow to be transported over an integrated data path, the integrated data path extending through a plurality of data plane entities; identifying network services required by the traffic flow; identifying one or more service entities associated with the network services required by the traffic flow; and configuring the network services on the integrated data path for transporting the traffic flow over a network by establishing a control path between each of the one or more service entities and a corresponding one of the plurality of data plane entities, wherein the one or more service entities comprise at least a first service entity associated with a first network service required by the traffic flow, wherein configuring the network services on the integrated data path comprises establishing a first control path between the first service entity and a first data plane entity in the plurality of data plane entities to dynamically configure the first data plane entity to perform the first network service on the traffic flow based on control signaling received over the first control path from the first service entity, wherein the first control path was not established prior to the traffic flow being received by the network, and wherein the first data plane entity was not configured to provide the first network service prior to establishing the first control path between the first data plane entity and the first service entity.