Federated management of intelligent service modules
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving a management request at a service function forwarder within a network, wherein the management request is indicative of performing a set of network services;
analyzing, by the service function forwarder, routing information encapsulated within the management request to identify a service function node that provides at least some of the network services;
forwarding the management request, by the service function forwarder and using the routing information encapsulated within the management request, to the service function node via a communication connection;
receiving a second management request at the service function forwarder within the network, wherein the second management request is indicative of performing a second set of network services;
analyzing, by the service function forwarder, routing information encapsulated within the second management request to identify a second service function node that provides at least some of the second set of network services; and
forwarding the second management request, by the service function forwarder and using the routing information encapsulated within the second management request, to the second service function node via a second communication connection,wherein the service function forwarder, the service function node and the second service function node are part of a same domain.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Intelligent services are provided in a storage network using intelligent service modules that can be cabled to a switch external to the switch chassis and yet be managed as part of the switch'"'"'s logical domain. Data and management communications between the intelligent service module and the core switch are provided through a “soft-backplane” implemented using in-band communications through cabling attached between the switch and the intelligent service module rather than through a hardwired backplane within the chassis. Management communications from management software is directed to the switch, which handles the management functions relating to the intelligent service module or forwards the management requests to the intelligent service module for processing.
96 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving a management request at a service function forwarder within a network, wherein the management request is indicative of performing a set of network services; analyzing, by the service function forwarder, routing information encapsulated within the management request to identify a service function node that provides at least some of the network services; forwarding the management request, by the service function forwarder and using the routing information encapsulated within the management request, to the service function node via a communication connection; receiving a second management request at the service function forwarder within the network, wherein the second management request is indicative of performing a second set of network services; analyzing, by the service function forwarder, routing information encapsulated within the second management request to identify a second service function node that provides at least some of the second set of network services; and forwarding the second management request, by the service function forwarder and using the routing information encapsulated within the second management request, to the second service function node via a second communication connection, wherein the service function forwarder, the service function node and the second service function node are part of a same domain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A service function forwarder device, comprising:
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a first network port configured to receive a management request within a network, wherein the management request is indicative of performing a plurality of network services, and to receive a second management request within the network, wherein the second management request is indicative of performing a second plurality of network services; a circuitry coupled to the first network port, wherein the circuitry is configured to analyze routing information encapsulated within the management request to identify a service function node that provides at least some of the network services and to analyze routing information encapsulated within the second management request to identify a second service function node that provides at least some of the second plurality of network services; a second network port coupled to the circuitry, wherein the second network port is configured to transmit the management request to the service function node via a communication connection; and a third network port, which is coupled to the circuitry, wherein the third network port is configured to transmit the second management request to the second service function node via a second communication connection, wherein the service function forwarder device, the service function node and the second service function node are associated with a same domain. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system comprising:
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a service function node configured to perform a first network service; a second service function node configured to perform a second network service; a plurality of communication links; and a service function forwarder coupled to the service function node and the second service function node via the plurality of communication links within a network, wherein the service function forwarder is configured to; receive a request, wherein the request is indicative of performing a plurality of network services; identify the service function node based on encapsulated routing information within the request, wherein the first network service is one of the network services indicated in the request; forward the request to the service function node based on the encapsulated routing information within the request; receive a second request, wherein the second request is indicative of performing a second plurality of network services; identify the second service function node based on encapsulated routing information within the second request, wherein the second network service is one of the second plurality of network services indicated in the second request; and forward the second request to the second service function node based on the encapsulated routing information within the second request, wherein the service function forwarder, the service function node and the second service function node are within a same domain. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification