Network device with service software instances deployment information distribution
Virtual machine environments are provided in the switches that form a network, with the virtual machines executing network services previously performed by dedicated appliances. The virtual machines can be executed on a single multi-core processor in combination with normal switch functions or on dedicated services processor boards. Packet processors analyze incoming packets and add a services tag containing services entries to any packets. Each switch reviews the services tag and performs any network services resident on that switch. This allows services to be deployed at the optimal locations in the network. The network services may be deployed by use of drag and drop operations. A topology view is presented, along with network services that may be deployed. Services may be selected and dragged to a single switch or multiple switches. The management tool deploys the network services software, with virtual machines being instantiated on the switches as needed.
1. A network device comprising:
at least one processor core and associated memory;
a memory coupled to said at least one processor core and storing a table containing the service software instance deployment to network devices which execute the service software instances, each software service instance performing a network service; and
management tool software executing on said at least one processor core and stored in said associated memory and coupled to said memory storing the table containing the service software instance deployment to network devices which execute the service software instances, said management tool software causing said at least one processor core to provide information to network devices that add a services tag to packets provided to the network and to network devices that route packets to service software instances based on a services tag in packets received from the network to store network services tables to allow such services tag addition and packet routing, the services tag specifying network services to be performed on the packet.
2. The network device of claim 1 ,
wherein said management tool software receives an indication that an additional service software instance has been deployed to a network device,
wherein said management tool software causes said at least one processor core to update said table containing the service software instance deployment to network devices which execute the service software instances to include the additional service software instance, and
wherein said management tool software causes said processor to provide information to network devices that add a services tag to packets provided to the network and to network devices that route packets to service software instances based on a services tag in packets received from the network to store network services tables of the addition of the service software instance to allow such service tag addition and packet routing.
3. A method of operating a network device, the method comprising:
storing in a memory coupled to at least one processor core a table containing the service software instance deployment to network devices which execute the service software instances, each software service instance performing a network service; and
executing management tool software on said at least one processor core to provide information to network devices that add a services tag to packets provided to the network and to network devices that route packets to service software instances based on a services tag in packets received from the network to store network services tables to allow such services tag addition and packet routing, the services tag specifying network services to be performed on the packet.
4. The method of claim 3 ,
herein said management tool software receives an indication that an additional service software instance has been deployed to a network device,
wherein said management tool software causes said at least one processor core to update said table containing the service software instance deployment to network devices which execute the service software instances to include the additional service software instance, and
wherein said management tool software causes said processor to provide information to network devices that add a services tag to packets provided to the network and to network devices that route packets to service software instances based on a services tag in packets received from the network to store network services tables of the addition of the service software instance to allow such service tag addition and packet routing.