Patent ID: 9602308
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: H04L

Claim:
1. An apparatus comprising a processor and logic integrated with the processor, executable by the processor, or integrated with and executable by the processor, the logic being configured to cause the processor to: designate one of a plurality of endpoint virtual network identifiers (EPVNIDs) for each endpoint device in a network, wherein each EPVNID is configured to be shared by one or more endpoint devices; designate a common waypoint virtual network identifier (WPVNID) for all transparent waypoint devices in the network which perform a same function; designate a unique WPVNID for each routed waypoint device in the network; designate a common virtual network identifier (VNID) for all virtual switches in a single virtual network, wherein a different VNID is designated for each virtual network; create a service chain table comprising each VNID, WPVNID, and EPVNID designated in the network individually correlated with at least a pair of VNIDs: a source VNID and a destination VNID, based on one or more policies affecting application of services to packets in the network; and send a next hop and a next routed hop that indicates a route to at least one service appliance in accordance with the one or more policies in response to a query to determine a service chain for one or more packets.