Patent ID: 9407540
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: H04L

Claim Text:
1. A method, comprising: 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 configured by a service controller for a next service node based on the service path identifier and the location, wherein a plurality of different forwarding tables are distributed across the DVS at a corresponding plurality of virtual Ethernet Modules (VEMs) associated with respective service nodes in the service chain, wherein the service controller configures the service forwarding table at a first VEM when the service chain is instantiated at a second VEM, wherein the first VEM makes an independent forwarding decision based at least on the service forwarding table at the first VEM, and the service path identifier and the location indicated in the NSH of the packet; and forwarding the packet to the next service node, wherein substantially all services in the service chain are provided sequentially to the packet in a single service loop on a service overlay.