RESTORING SERVICE FUNCTIONS AFTER CHANGING A SERVICE CHAIN INSTANCE PATH

摘要

When there is a change from a first service chain instance path to a second service chain instance path, the head-end node of the second service chain instance path is notified to include information that specifies the second service chain instance path in data packets to be routed on the second service chain instance path. That information is used to route those data packets until the nodes in the second service chain instance path complete installation of a new steering policy. When those nodes have installed the new steering policy, the information that specifies the second service chain instance path may no longer be included in data packets, and the steering policy is then used to route the data packets.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a communication interface configured to communicate with nodes in a network; a processing circuit coupled to the communication interface; and memory coupled to the processing circuit, the memory containing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processing circuit, cause the apparatus to:
receive state information for service functions executable by the nodes;if the state information indicates that a service function instance component in a first service chain instance path cannot be used, then determine a second service chain instance path that includes a replacement for the service function instance component;notify a node at the head-end of the second service chain instance path to include information about the second service chain instance path in data packets, and send a steering policy to nodes included in the second service chain instance path; andafter the steering policy is installed on the nodes included in the second service chain instance path, notify the node at the head-end of the second service chain instance path to stop including the information about the second service chain instance path in data packets.