Transmitting network overlay information in a service function chain
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a device configured to provide a network service via a service function within a network service chain, a packet encapsulated by a network service header, wherein the network service header is configured to route the packet through the network service chain;
extracting, via the service function, a Universal Cloud Classifier from a metadata field of the network service header, wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier identifies a network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header, and wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier comprises a hierarchical identifier that identifies a cloud, a service and a tenant associated with a particular packet;
determining, via the service function from the Universal Cloud Classifier, the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header; and
applying the network service to the packet according to policies specific for the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier by encapsulating the packet according to a network overlay protocol or a segmentation protocol that differs from the network overlay protocol or the segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier.
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Abstract
A packet is received at a device configured to provide a service function within a network service chain. A network overlay and/or segmentation identifier is extracted from a header of the packet. The service function is applied to the packet according to policies specific to a network overlay and/or segmentation identified in the network overlay and/or segmentation identifier.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a device configured to provide a network service via a service function within a network service chain, a packet encapsulated by a network service header, wherein the network service header is configured to route the packet through the network service chain; extracting, via the service function, a Universal Cloud Classifier from a metadata field of the network service header, wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier identifies a network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header, and wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier comprises a hierarchical identifier that identifies a cloud, a service and a tenant associated with a particular packet; determining, via the service function from the Universal Cloud Classifier, the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header; and applying the network service to the packet according to policies specific for the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier by encapsulating the packet according to a network overlay protocol or a segmentation protocol that differs from the network overlay protocol or the segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus comprising:
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a memory storing data indicating policies specific for a network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol; a network interface unit configured to enable network connectivity; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to; provide a network service via a service function within a network service chain; receive, via the network interface unit, a packet encapsulated by a network service header, wherein the network service header is configured to route the packet through the network service chain; extract, via the service function, a Universal Cloud Classifier from a metadata field of the network service header, wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier identifies the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header, and wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier comprises a hierarchical identifier that identifies a cloud, a service and a tenant associated with a particular packet; determine, via the Universal Cloud Classifier, the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header; and apply the network service to the packet according to the policies specific for the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier by encapsulating the packet according to a network overlay protocol or a segmentation protocol that differs from the network overlay protocol or the segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage media encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions and when the software is executed operable to:
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receive, at a device configured to provide a network service via a service function within a network service chain, a packet encapsulated by a network service header, wherein the network service header is configured to route the packet through the network service chain; extract, via the service function, a Universal Cloud Classifier from a metadata field of the network service header, wherein the Universal Cloud Classifier identifies a network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header; determine, via the service function from the Universal Cloud Classifier, the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol applied to the packet encapsulated by the network service header; and apply the network service to the packet according to policies specific for the network overlay protocol or segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier by encapsulating the packet according to a network overlay protocol or a segmentation protocol that differs from the network overlay protocol or the segmentation protocol determined from the Universal Cloud Classifier. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification