Network Service Header - IP Protocol
This page provides IP protocol information on the Network Service Header IP protocol (NSH) detected by the Netify DPI engine. Please see the IP protocol catalog for information on other IP protocols.
NSH is the Network Service Header, used in Service Function Chaining to steer packets through an ordered sequence of network services such as firewalls or load balancers.
IP Protocol Details
- Name
- Network Service Header
- Abbreviation
- NSH
- Status
- Active
- IANA Number
- 145
- IANA Keyword
- NSH
- Reference
- Network Service Header
IP Protocol Status - Active
NSH was standardized in RFC 8300 (2018), with this dedicated IP protocol number added via RFC 9491 (2023), and is actively used in modern SFC/SDN deployments.
IP Protocol Network Policy
NSH steers traffic through an ordered chain of network services like firewalls and load balancers in SFC/SDN deployments, and is relevant only where service chaining is used.