Anycast Routing Device Credential-Based Server Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing routing devices forward messages with anycast addresses to the closest destination device based solely on link cost or closeness, which does not account for service provider-specific routing, leading to messages being sent to inappropriate or overloaded servers.

Innovation Solution

The routing device uses credential data, such as authentication and authorization information, to determine the appropriate destination server within the routing tables specific to each service provider, allowing messages with the same anycast address to be forwarded to different servers based on user affiliation, thereby ensuring messages are routed to the correct service provider's server, even if it's not the closest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the routing device forwards messages with anycast addresses to the closest destination device based on link cost, then the routing efficiency is improved, but the service provider specificity is lost and messages may be sent to inappropriate servers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting efficiencyVSAvoidservice provider specificity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The routing device segments the routing decision process into two independent parts: (1) credential-based service provider identification using authentication data from sending devices, and (2) destination device selection within the identified service provider's network. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both routing efficiency and service provider specificity by making routing decisions based on both proximity and user affiliation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The routing device applies different routing qualities to different service providers by maintaining separate routing tables for each provider. When a message with an anycast address is received, the device first identifies the sending device's service provider through credential data, then applies the specific routing table and selection criteria appropriate for that provider, ensuring messages are routed to servers within the correct service provider's network while still optimizing for proximity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the routing device uses credential data to determine destination devices, then the service provider specificity is improved, but the routing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provider specificityVSAvoidrouting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing device performs preliminary authentication and credential verification when the sending device first connects to the network or sends a message. The service provider identification is established in advance and stored temporarily, so that subsequent routing decisions for messages with anycast addresses can be made quickly using this pre-determined information without repeating the full authentication process for each message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The routing device introduces credential data as an intermediary element that bridges the sending device and the appropriate service provider's routing table. Instead of directly comparing all possible destination devices, the device uses credential data to first identify the relevant service provider, then uses that as a key to access the appropriate routing table, simplifying the overall routing decision process while maintaining service provider specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the routing device forwards messages to the closest destination device, then the link cost is minimized, but the load distribution across service provider servers is unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink costVSAvoidload distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing device dynamically adjusts the routing decision by considering both the static credential data (service provider affiliation) and dynamic factors such as current server load and proximity. Within each service provider's network, the device can flexibly select among multiple destination devices based on real-time conditions, allowing load to be distributed more evenly across servers while still minimizing link cost and maintaining service provider specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1885088B1Routing device, routing module and routing method for an access network
Publication Date: 2008.12.17 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP1885088B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1885088B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a routing device (RO) for an access network (AN), a routing module (RM) therefor and a routing method for an access network (AN). The routing device (RO) comprises forwarding means (FM) able to determine a destination device for a message (M1, M2) sent by a sending device (UD1A, UD1B, UD2). The message (M1, M2) contains an anycast address (AC1, AC2, AC3) being assigned to a first possible destination device (DNS1, SIP1A, SIP1B, NTP1) and at least one second possible destination device (DNS2, SIP2, NTP2) of a group of destination devices (GDNS, GSIP, GNTP). The forwarding means (FM) are able to determine the first destination device (DNS1, SIP1A, SIP1B, NTP1) or the at least one second possible destination device out of the group of destination devices (GDNS, GSIP, GNTP) by assignment data (AD). The assignment data (AD) comprise a link (LI1, LI2) between the sending device (UD1A, UD1B, UD2) and the destination device. The assignment data (AD) comprise credential data (CD1, CD2) and/or are determined by means of credential data (CD1, CD2) of a user (U1, U2) of the sending device (UD1A, UD1B, UD2).