US Patent 10972389 Next-hop component selection along a service function path

A method, computer system, and computer program product for selecting a next-hop component for a packet from a group in a service function chain (SFC) enabled domain. The method may include receiving a request for selecting a next-hop component for a packet from a group in an SFC-enabled domain. The method may include collecting a delay measurement for packets of each of the plurality of components from a measurement agent in the SFC-enabled domain. The method may include selecting at least one component from the plurality of components based on the delay measurement for packets of each of the plurality of components. The method may include returning an indicator indicating at least one component.