20240039792. DEEP NETWORK SLICING WITH VIRTUALIZED PROGRAMMABLE DATA-PLANE PIPELINES simplified abstract (EQUINIX, INC.)

DEEP NETWORK SLICING WITH VIRTUALIZED PROGRAMMABLE DATA-PLANE PIPELINES

Organization Name

EQUINIX, INC.

Inventor(s)

Oleg Berzin of Huntington Valley PA (US)

DEEP NETWORK SLICING WITH VIRTUALIZED PROGRAMMABLE DATA-PLANE PIPELINES - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240039792 titled 'DEEP NETWORK SLICING WITH VIRTUALIZED PROGRAMMABLE DATA-PLANE PIPELINES

Simplified Explanation

This patent application describes a system for network slicing with programmable data-plane pipelines. Here is a simplified explanation of the abstract:

• The system creates slice contexts, which include control-plane and data-plane data for each network slice.
• The control-plane and data-plane data are stored to produce slice contexts.
• Resources of network switch hardware are mapped to the slice contexts to create a resource mapping.
• The system instantiates multiple network slices on the network switch hardware using the resource mapping.
• Frames are received from external sources, and the system identifies the network slice corresponding to each frame.
• The header of each frame is enriched based on the identification of the network slice, directing the frame to a data-plane pipeline.

Potential applications of this technology:

• Network slicing allows for the creation of virtual networks within a physical network, enabling customized services for different applications or users. This technology can be applied in various industries, such as telecommunications, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT).
• It can be used to provide dedicated network slices for specific services, such as low-latency communication for autonomous vehicles or high-bandwidth connections for video streaming.

Problems solved by this technology:

• Network slicing with programmable data-plane pipelines solves the challenge of efficiently managing and directing network traffic for different services or applications.
• It enables the allocation of network resources based on specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and quality of service for each network slice.

Benefits of this technology:

• Improved network efficiency and resource utilization by dynamically allocating resources based on the needs of each network slice.
• Enhanced flexibility and scalability, as network slices can be easily created, modified, or removed without impacting other slices or the overall network.
• Customized services and tailored network performance for different applications or users, leading to improved user experience and satisfaction.

Original Abstract Submitted

this disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for network slicing with programmable data-plane pipelines, comprising creating slice contexts, where creating the slice contexts comprises creating control-plane and data-plane data for each of a plurality of network slices, and storing the control-plane and the data-plane data to produce slice contexts, mapping resources of network switch hardware to the slice contexts to create a resource mapping, instantiating the plurality of network slices on the network switch hardware using the resource mapping, receiving frames from one or more external sources, identifying a network slice corresponding to each frame, and enriching a header of each of the frames, based upon the identification of the network slice for each frame, to direct each frame to a data-plane pipeline.