Symmetric bi-directional policy based redirect of traffic flows

Abstract

Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for guaranteeing symmetric bi-directional policy based redirect of traffic flows. A first switch connected to a first endpoint can receive a first data packet transmitted by the first endpoint to a second endpoint connected to a second switch. The first switch can enforce an ingress data policy to the first data packet by applying a hashing algorithm to a Source Internet Protocol (SIP) value and a Destination Internet Protocol (DIP) value of the first data packet, resulting in a hash value of the first data packet. The first switch can then route the first data packet to a first service node based on the hash value of the first data packet.

1 . A method for managing traffic through a switch fabric having a border defined at least by a plurality of leaf nodes connected by at least one spine node, the plurality of leaf nodes including at least first and second leaf nodes, the method comprising:
 first receiving, by the first leaf node connected to a first endpoint, a first data packet transmitted by the switch fabric to the first endpoint from a second endpoint connected to the second leaf node;   first enforcing, at exit of the first data packet from the switch fabric at the first leaf node, an egress data policy to the first data packet by applying a symmetrical hashing algorithm to at least a portion of the first data packet, resulting in a hash value of the first data packet;   first routing, after the first enforcing and before the first data packet exits the switch fabric, the first data packet to a first service node based on the hash value of the first data packet;   second receiving, by the second leaf node, a second data packet transmitted by the switch fabric to the second endpoint from the first endpoint;   second enforcing, at exit of the second data packet from the switch fabric at the second leaf node, an egress data policy to the second data packet by applying the symmetrical hashing algorithm to at least a portion of the second data packet, resulting in a hash value of the second data packet; and   second routing, after the second enforcing and before the second data packet exits the switch fabric, the second data packet to the first service node based on the hash value of the first data packet;   wherein, due to the symmetrical nature of the symmetrical hashing algorithm, data between the first and second endpoints are sent to the first service node regardless of the direction in which the data was sent.