Autonomous System Topology Identification via Border Router Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer networks face challenges in accurately identifying topological information, particularly at the border of autonomous systems, due to asymmetries in inter-AS network communications, which limits the ability to determine all devices handling traffic between internal and external networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that processes communications within and between autonomous systems to identify topology information, including intra-AS and inter-AS paths, and specific devices like border routers, using IS-IS and OSPF messages, even in cases where precise information is not known with certainty, by employing a communication interface capable of sending IGP and BGP messages and utilizing hash tables to store and process link state packet messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional networking equipment is used to supply topological information, then device simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability of topological information are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a border router that acts as an intermediary between internal networks and external autonomous systems. This border router collects topological information from multiple sources including IGP messages within the AS and BGP messages from external systems, then synthesizes this information to provide accurate inbound path identification. The intermediary border router resolves the contradiction by centralizing complex information gathering and processing functions, enabling high measurement precision without requiring every device in the network to become complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The border router performs multiple functions: it routes traffic, collects IGP topology information from internal networks, receives BGP information from external autonomous systems, and synthesizes this data to identify inbound communication paths. By making the border router a multi-functional device that handles both routing and topological information gathering, the system achieves high measurement precision for topological information without adding separate dedicated monitoring devices, thus managing device complexity effectively.
2Reliability
If complete topological information is required for all cases, then measurement precision is maximized, but loss of time and complexity of operation increase due to asymmetries in inter-AS communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by identifying the most probable inbound border routers based on available BGP and IGP information, rather than requiring complete certainty for all possible paths. The system identifies border routers that 'have a good potential for handling traffic' rather than guaranteeing 100% accuracy in all cases. This approach provides sufficiently reliable information for practical purposes without the excessive time and complexity required to achieve complete certainty in all scenarios, especially given the inherent asymmetries in inter-AS communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of likely inbound border routers using available BGP and IGP topological information before actual traffic flows arrive. By pre-processing and analyzing routing information to identify probable communication paths and border routers in advance, the system reduces the time required when actual traffic needs to be routed or analyzed, while maintaining high reliability through the synthesis of multiple information sources.
3Measurement precision
If high accuracy in identifying inbound border routers is achieved, then reliability of traffic management is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase
Solution Approach 1:
The border router serves as an intermediary that simplifies the detection process by centralizing the collection and synthesis of topological information. Instead of requiring complex distributed detection across multiple devices, the border router consolidates IGP information from internal networks and BGP information from external systems, then performs the synthesis to identify inbound paths. This intermediary approach achieves high measurement precision while reducing the overall difficulty of detecting and measuring topological information in the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method identifies topology information of an autonomous system as well as other autonomous systems, and can provide topology information in response to requests.