Anycast Server Reachability Detection via IP Detection Packet
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP anycast address reachability of a designate anycast server cannot be accurately detected in an anycast service-based network due to the existing IP ping/tracert detection methods, which fail to accurately send IP detection packets to a specific server and determine server faults within an anycast server cluster.
Innovation Solution
A packet sending method that involves a client device obtaining the IP anycast and unicast addresses of an anycast server cluster, generating an IP detection packet with an SRH that instructs the target server to replace its unicast address with the anycast address, and sending this packet to accurately detect reachability, using segment routing headers to manage forwarding paths and designate middle nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IP anycast address is used as destination address in existing IP ping/tracert detection method, then network simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision of server reachability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP address into two components: the IP anycast address (for routing to the server cluster) and the IP unicast address (for identifying the specific target server). This segmentation allows the detection packet to be routed to the correct server while maintaining the simplicity of using anycast addresses in the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the IP detection packet carries both anycast and unicast address information, and instructs the target server to replace the unicast address with the anycast address. This intermediary approach enables accurate detection without changing the external network behavior.
2Reliability
If IP anycast address is used to identify server group, then load balancing and high reliability are improved, but device complexity of detection system is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the IP detection packet serve multiple functions: it uses the IP anycast address for routing (maintaining load balancing and reliability), carries the IP unicast address for identification, and includes replacement instructions for accurate detection. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by maintaining anycast benefits while enabling precise detection.
3Ease of operation
If existing IP ping/tracert method is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but loss of information about specific server status is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the IP detection packet to include both anycast and unicast address information before sending it to the target server. This preliminary preparation ensures that the packet contains all necessary information for accurate detection without requiring complex operations during the detection process.
Data Source
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Figure 1b
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AI summary
This application provides a packet sending method, applied to an anycast service-based network. The network includes a client device and an anycast server cluster, the anycast server cluster includes at least two servers, the at least two servers have a same internet protocol IP anycast address, and the method includes: obtaining, by the client device, the internet protocol IP anycast address of the anycast server cluster and an IP unicast address of the target server; generating, by the client device, an IP detection packet, where the IP detection packet is used to detect whether the target server is reachable based on the IP anycast address, and the IP detection packet includes the IP anycast address and the IP unicast address of the target server, and instructs the target server to replace the IP unicast address of the target server with the IP anycast address; and sending, by the client device, the IP detection packet to the target server. This helps accurately detect IP anycast address reachability of a designate anycast server.