Patent ID: 9531850
Filing Date: 2016-12-27
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: receiving a packet in a service function chain at a network device located at a border of a first administrative domain, the packet comprising a service function path identifier and a service index, said service function chain defining a set of service nodes hosting service functions and an order for applying said service functions; processing the packet at the network device, wherein processing comprises modifying the packet based on said service function path identifier and said service index to direct the packet to a second administrative domain; and forwarding the packet from the network device to said second administrative domain for processing in said service function chain; wherein said service function chain extends over said first and second administrative domains; and wherein said first administrative domain and said second administrative domain communicate via the network device at the border of said first administrative domain, each of said first and second administrative domains defining a routing domain where local routing policies are applied.