Automatic service function validation in a virtual network environment
First Claim
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1. A method for validating a service function type on a service function (SF) module, the method comprising:
- initiating a probe, at a service function forwarder (SFF), to query a function type of a corresponding SF module;
receiving a reply from the corresponding SF module, in response to the probe, with an indication of an actual function being implemented by the corresponding SF module;
validating, at the SFF, the function type of the corresponding SF module by determining whether the actual function corresponds with an expected service function type using a forwarding database, the forwarding database maintaining the expected service function type, having a plurality of updatable function type values with each of the updatable function type values indicating a type, and including multiple entries for the SF module if the SF module has multiple ones of the expected service function type; and
determining, at the SFF, whether to permit packet forwarding, based on the function type of the corresponding SF module,wherein,if the function type is validated, the SFF permits a packet to be transmitted to a next hop, andif the function type is not validated, the SFF drops the packet.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for improving the reliability of service function (SF) application in a service function chain (SFC) are provided. In some aspects, the subject technology facilitates automatic service function type validation by a service function forwarder (SFF), for example, by using a probe configured to query a function type of a SF module associated with the validating SFF.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for validating a service function type on a service function (SF) module, the method comprising:
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initiating a probe, at a service function forwarder (SFF), to query a function type of a corresponding SF module; receiving a reply from the corresponding SF module, in response to the probe, with an indication of an actual function being implemented by the corresponding SF module; validating, at the SFF, the function type of the corresponding SF module by determining whether the actual function corresponds with an expected service function type using a forwarding database, the forwarding database maintaining the expected service function type, having a plurality of updatable function type values with each of the updatable function type values indicating a type, and including multiple entries for the SF module if the SF module has multiple ones of the expected service function type; and determining, at the SFF, whether to permit packet forwarding, based on the function type of the corresponding SF module, wherein, if the function type is validated, the SFF permits a packet to be transmitted to a next hop, and if the function type is not validated, the SFF drops the packet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A service function type validation system comprising:
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at least one processor; and a memory device storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the validation system to; initiate a probe, at a service function forwarder (SFF), wherein the probe is configured to query a function type of a corresponding SF module; receive a reply from the corresponding SF module, in response to the probe, with an indication of an actual function being implemented by the corresponding SF module; validate, at the SFF, the function type of the corresponding SF module by determining whether the actual function corresponds with an expected service function type using a forwarding database, the forwarding database maintaining the expected service function type, having a plurality of updatable function type values with each of the updatable function type values indicating a type, and including multiple entries for the SF module if the SF module has multiple ones of the expected service function type; and determine, at the SFF, whether to permit packet forwarding, based on the function type of the corresponding SF module, wherein, the SFF is configured to permit a packet to be transmitted to a next hop if the function type is validated, and the SFF is configured to drop the packet if the function type is not validated. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored therein, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:
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initiating a probe, at a service function forwarder (SFF), wherein the probe is configured to query a function type of a corresponding SF module; receiving a reply from the corresponding SF module, in response to the probe, with an indication of an actual function being implemented by the SF module; validating, at the SFF, the function type of the corresponding SF module by determining whether the actual function corresponds with an expected service function type using a forwarding database, the forwarding database maintaining the expected service function type, having a plurality of updatable function type values with each of the updatable function type values indicating a type, and including multiple entries for the SF module if the SF module has multiple ones of the expected service function type; and determining, at the SFF, whether to permit packet forwarding, based on the function type of the corresponding SF module, wherein, the SFF is configured to permit a packet to be transmitted to a next hop if the function type is validated, and the SFF is configured to drop the packet if the function type is not validated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification