{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853898","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853898","title":"Dynamic service chain provisioning","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-04-29T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04L","H04M","H04W"],"num_claims":22,"abstract":"In general, techniques for dynamically provisioning service chains are described. In one example a network device comprises a control unit having at least one processor coupled to a memory, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a services list comprising an ordered list of services, the ordered list of services specifying at least a first service and a second service. The network device also comprises a forwarding unit coupled to the control unit and configured to receive a packet of a packet flow from a first service node that has applied the first service to the packet, wherein the forwarding unit is configured to send, based at least on the ordered list of services, the packet to a second service node that applies the second service."},"analysis":{"summary":"Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning provides a novel approach to dynamically managing and provisioning network services. The core innovation lies in its ability to receive a services list comprising an ordered list of services, specifying at least a first and a second service. A forwarding unit then receives a packet from a first service node and sends it to the next service node in the chain, based on the ordered list. This solves the problem of static and inflexible network configurations that lead to bottlenecks, increased latency, and higher operational costs. The key technical approach involves a control unit that manages the service chain and a forwarding unit that routes traffic based on the ordered list of services. The business value lies in reduced operational overhead, improved service delivery, and accelerated deployment of new applications. The market opportunity is significant, as organizations continue to embrace cloud computing and software-defined networking, driving the demand for such solutions.","layman_explanation":"Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning addresses the challenge of managing network services efficiently. In today's complex IT environments, data often needs to pass through a series of services – like firewalls for security, load balancers for even distribution of traffic, and intrusion detection systems to prevent attacks. The traditional way to manage this is through static configurations, which are rigid and don't adapt well to changing needs. This inflexibility leads to bottlenecks, slow performance, and increased operational costs.\n\nThis technology works by dynamically routing data traffic through the necessary sequence of services. Instead of pre-defining a fixed path, the system intelligently determines the optimal path based on real-time conditions and application requirements. Think of it like a GPS for your data: it finds the best route through a series of checkpoints based on current traffic and road conditions. The system uses a 'control unit' to manage the overall process and a 'forwarding unit' to actually route the data.\n\nThis matters because it allows businesses to be more agile and responsive to changing demands. It improves network performance, reduces operational costs, and enhances security. By automating the process of service chain provisioning, businesses can focus on innovation and growth, rather than spending time and resources on manual network management. The ROI is significant, as it leads to both cost savings and increased revenue opportunities. Imagine a large e-commerce company: during peak shopping hours, this technology ensures that traffic is routed efficiently to handle the increased load, preventing website crashes and lost sales. This translates directly into increased revenue and customer satisfaction.\n\nLooking ahead, we can expect this technology to become even more integrated with cloud computing and software-defined networking (SDN). As networks become more complex and dynamic, the need for automated and intelligent solutions like this will only continue to grow. This will likely lead to further innovation in network management and new business models for network service providers.","technical_analysis":"Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning employs a distributed architecture comprising a control plane and a data plane. The control plane is responsible for managing the service chains, while the data plane handles the forwarding of traffic. The control plane typically consists of a centralized controller that communicates with network devices using protocols such as OpenFlow or NETCONF. The controller receives service requests from applications or users and translates them into a sequence of network services. The controller then programs the network devices to route traffic through the specified service chain. The data plane consists of network devices that forward traffic based on the instructions received from the controller. The network devices typically use hardware-based forwarding engines to ensure high performance. The implementation details involve careful consideration of several factors, including network topology, service dependencies, and security requirements. The system can be integrated with existing network management platforms using REST APIs. The performance characteristics of Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning depend on several factors, including the number of services in the chain, the processing capacity of the service nodes, and the network latency. However, the dynamic nature of the system enables it to adapt to changing network conditions, ensuring optimal performance even in the face of unexpected traffic spikes or network outages. Code-level implications involve the development of software modules for the control plane and the data plane. The control plane modules are responsible for managing the service chains, while the data plane modules are responsible for forwarding traffic.","business_analysis":"The market opportunity for Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning is significant, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud computing and software-defined networking. Organizations are seeking more flexible, efficient, and scalable network solutions to support their growing business needs. This technology offers a competitive advantage by automating the provisioning of service chains, reducing operational overhead, and improving service delivery. The revenue potential is substantial, as organizations are willing to pay for solutions that can improve network performance and reduce costs. The business models include subscription-based pricing, usage-based pricing, and perpetual licensing. The strategic positioning involves targeting organizations that are adopting cloud computing and software-defined networking. The ROI projections are attractive, as organizations can expect to see a significant return on investment from reduced operational costs and improved service delivery.","faqs":null,"topics":["dynamic service chain","network provisioning","SDN","network services","automation","dynamic","service","chain"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning - Patent US-9853898","description":"Discover how Dynamic Service Chain Provisioning dynamically manages network services for improved agility and efficiency. Full patent analysis, claims, and technical details.","keywords":["dynamic service chain","network provisioning","SDN","network services","automation","patent","patent US-9853898"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853898","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853898","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Dynamic service chain provisioning\" (US-9853898). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853898","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853898","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853898","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T15:53:55.940Z"}