Hash-Based Load Balancing with Flow Identifier Remapping

摘要

Methods and apparatus for improving hash-based load balancing using flow identifier remapping are disclosed. The node-based remapping of flow identifiers introduces additional information into the hash function by injecting new values into the hash key on a per node basis. The methods and apparatus described herein perform a remapping operation on a fixed per-flow attribute such as one or more packet fields. Upon receipt of a packet, a set of the packet fields is selected as a hash key. From these selected packet fields, one or more fields are selected and remapped using a remapping operation. A transformed hash key is formed using the one or more remapped values along with other packet fields. The transformed hash key is then presented as an input to an arbitrary hash function. The hash function generates a hash value that is then used for path selection.