Abstract:
An example method for distributed service chaining is provided and includes receiving a packet belonging to a service chain in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment, the packet includes a network service header (NSH) indicating a service path identifier identifying the service chain. The packet is provided to a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) connected to an agentless service node (SN) providing an edge service such as a server load balancer (SLB). The VEM associates a service path identifier corresponding to the service chain with a local identifier such as a virtual local area network (VLAN). The agentless SN returns the packet to the VEM for forwarding on the VLAN. Because the VLAN corresponds exactly to the service path and service chain, the packet is forwarded directly to the next node in the service chain. This can enable agentless SNs to efficiently provide a service chain for network traffic.
Abstract:
Techniques are provided for implementing a zone-based firewall policy. At a virtual network device, information is defined and stored that represents a security management zone for a virtual firewall policy comprising one or more common attributes of applications associated with the security zone. Information representing a firewall rule for the security zone is defined and comprises first conditions for matching common attributes of applications associated with the security zone and an action to be performed on application traffic. Parameters associated with the application traffic are received that are associated with properly provisioned virtual machines. A determination is made whether the application traffic parameters satisfy the conditions of the firewall rule and in response to determining that the conditions are satisfied, the action is performed.
Abstract:
An example method for distributed service chaining is provided and includes receiving a packet belonging to a service chain in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment, the packet includes a network service header (NSH) indicating a service path identifier identifying the service chain. The packet is provided to a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) connected to an agentless service node (SN) providing an edge service such as a server load balancer (SLB). The VEM associates a service path identifier corresponding to the service chain with a local identifier such as a virtual local area network (VLAN). The agentless SN returns the packet to the VEM for forwarding on the VLAN. Because the VLAN corresponds exactly to the service path and service chain, the packet is forwarded directly to the next node in the service chain. This can enable agentless SNs to efficiently provide a service chain for network traffic.
Abstract:
A sense of location is provided for distributed virtual switch components into the service provisioning scheme to reduce latency observed in conducting policy evaluations across a network in a hybrid cloud environment. A management application in a first virtual network subscribes to virtual network services provided by a second virtual network. A first message is sent to the second virtual network, the first message comprising information configured to start a virtual switch in the second virtual network that switches network traffic for one or more virtual machines in the second virtual network that are configured to extend services provided by the first virtual network into the second virtual network. A second message is sent to the second virtual network, the second message comprising information configured to start a virtual service node in the second virtual network that provides network traffic services for the one or more virtual machines.
Abstract:
An example method for service node originated service chains in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet at a service node in a network environment that includes a plurality of service nodes and a central classifier, analyzing the packet for a service chain modification or a service chain initiation, classifying the packet at the service node to a new service chain based on the analysis, initiating the new service chain at the service node if the analysis indicates service chain initiation, and modifying an existing service chain for the packet to the new service chain if the analysis indicates service chain modification. In specific embodiments, the analysis includes applying classification logic specific to the service node. Some embodiments, service node attributes and order of service nodes in substantially all service chains configured in the network may be received from a central controller.
Abstract:
An example method for distributed service chaining in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet belonging to a service chain in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment, wherein the packet includes a network service header (NSH) indicating a service path identifier identifying the service chain and a location of the packet on the service chain, evaluating a service forwarding table to determine a next service node based on the service path identifier and the location, with a plurality of different forwarding tables distributed across the DVS at a corresponding plurality of virtual Ethernet Modules (VEMs) associated with respective service nodes in the service chain, and forwarding the packet to the next service node, with substantially all services in the service chain provided sequentially to the packet in a single service loop on a service overlay.
Abstract:
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a network element a flow offload decision for a first service node that includes a portion of a service chain for processing a flow; recording the flow offload decision against the first service node at the network element; and propagating the flow offload decision backward on a service path to which the flow belongs if the first service node is hosted at the network element. Embodiments may also include propagating the flow offload decision backward on a service path to which the flow belongs if the flow offload decision is a propagated flow offload decision and the network element hosts a second service node that immediately precedes the service node on behalf of which the propagated flow offload decision was received and a flow offload decision has already been received by the network element from the second service node.
Abstract:
An example method for service node originated service chains in a network environment is provided and includes receiving a packet at a service node in a network environment that includes a plurality of service nodes and a central classifier, analyzing the packet for a service chain modification or a service chain initiation, classifying the packet at the service node to a new service chain based on the analysis, initiating the new service chain at the service node if the analysis indicates service chain initiation, and modifying an existing service chain for the packet to the new service chain if the analysis indicates service chain modification. In specific embodiments, the analysis includes applying classification logic specific to the service node. Some embodiments, service node attributes and order of service nodes in substantially all service chains configured in the network may be received from a central controller.
Abstract:
An example method for distributed service chaining is provided and includes receiving a packet belonging to a service chain in a distributed virtual switch (DVS) network environment, the packet includes a network service header (NSH) indicating a service path identifier identifying the service chain. The packet is provided to a virtual Ethernet module (VEM) connected to an agentless service node (SN) providing an edge service such as a server load balancer (SLB). The VEM associates a service path identifier corresponding to the service chain with a local identifier such as a virtual local area network (VLAN). The agentless SN returns the packet to the VEM for forwarding on the VLAN. Because the VLAN corresponds exactly to the service path and service chain, the packet is forwarded directly to the next node in the service chain. This can enable agentless SNs to efficiently provide a service chain for network traffic.
Abstract:
An example method for workload based service chain insertion in a network environment is provided and includes partitioning a service-path into fragments at a service controller, where the service-path comprises an ordered sequence of services to be provided to a packet associated with a workload in a network. The method also includes determining a location of service nodes providing the services; and provisioning the fragments at interfaces at a distributed virtual switch. The method could further include generating a plurality of service insertion points corresponding to the fragments at a service dispatcher. The service dispatcher can include a plurality of data plane components, and the service insertion points are generated at the data plane components.