In one embodiment, segment routing (SR) network processing of packets is performed on packets having a segment identifier structure providing processing and/or memory efficiencies. Responsive to an identified particular segment routing policy, the particular router retrieves from memory a dynamic segment routing identifier portion of the particular SR policy that includes a SR node value and a SR function value. The SR function value identifies segment routing processing to be performed by a router in the network identified based on the SR node value. A segment routing discriminator is independently identified, possibly being a fixed value for all segment identifiers in the network. Before sending into the network, a complete segment identifier is added to the particular packet by combining the segment routing discriminator with the dynamic segment routing identifier portion. The particular packet including the complete segment identifier is sent into the network.