Open platform architecture for integrating multiple heterogeneous network functions
First Claim
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1. A system for processing a packet, comprising:
- a plurality of service applications, each configured to perform a specific segment of processing on the packet;
a plurality of service paths, programmably configured to link a completion of processing of one specific segment of processing associated with one of the service applications to a start of processing of another specific segment of another of the service applications such that each portion of processing of the packet can be performed in a specific order and by any of the plurality of service applications specified by the plurality of service paths;
a plurality of input/output (I/O) cards, each I/O card configured to route packets from an ingress or to an egress of the system, wherein at least one of the plurality of service paths provides a link between at least one of the plurality of service applications with at least one of the plurality of I/O cards; and
a control plane including at least one feature server configured to execute one or more customer-configured applications and to modify at least one of the plurality of service paths.
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Abstract
A platform for seamlessly hosts a plurality of disparate types of packet processing applications. One or more applications are loaded onto a service card on the platform. A programmable path structure is included that maps a logical path for processing of the packets through one or more of the plurality of service cards according to characteristics of the packets. Multiple path structures may be programmed into the platform to offer different service paths for different types of packets.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for processing a packet, comprising:
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a plurality of service applications, each configured to perform a specific segment of processing on the packet; a plurality of service paths, programmably configured to link a completion of processing of one specific segment of processing associated with one of the service applications to a start of processing of another specific segment of another of the service applications such that each portion of processing of the packet can be performed in a specific order and by any of the plurality of service applications specified by the plurality of service paths; a plurality of input/output (I/O) cards, each I/O card configured to route packets from an ingress or to an egress of the system, wherein at least one of the plurality of service paths provides a link between at least one of the plurality of service applications with at least one of the plurality of I/O cards; and a control plane including at least one feature server configured to execute one or more customer-configured applications and to modify at least one of the plurality of service paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for processing a packet, comprising:
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a forwarding plane including a plurality of service cards, each service card configured to execute at least one of a plurality of service applications to perform at least one specific segment of processing on the packet; a plurality of service paths, programmably configured to link a completion of processing of one specific segment of processing associated with one of the service applications to a start of processing of another specific segment of another of the service applications such that each portion of processing of the packet can be performed in a specific order and by any of the plurality of service applications specified by the plurality of service paths; a plurality of input/output (I/O) cards, each I/O card configured to route packets from an ingress or to an egress of the system, wherein at least one of the plurality of service paths provides a link between at least one of the plurality of service applications with at least one of the plurality of I/O cards; and a feature server configured to execute one or more customer-configured applications and to modify at least one of the plurality of service paths. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification