METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACING PATHS IN SERVICE FUNCTION CHAINS

• Main Authors: Penno, Reinaldo, Pignataro, Carlos M, Quinn, Paul
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.10.2019
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION

In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a trace request packet at a service node on a service chain, the trace request packet comprising a service index limit that remains constant for use in identifying at least one service node in the service chain to generate a trace report packet, and processing the trace request packet and determining whether to forward the trace request packet on the service chain or to generate the trace report packet based on a comparison of a service index to the service index limit in the trace request packet, wherein the trace report packet includes service function information of a plurality of service functions in the service chain, and the trace request packet is forwarded on the service chain according to a service path identifier and the service index.