Assisted Replication Source IP Retention in Multi-Homed Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing assisted replication in a multi-homing context is challenging due to devices and hardware resources lacking the capability to retain the source IP address of a packet when forwarding it to multiple provider edge devices.
Innovation Solution
A method where a provider edge device determines the capability of an assisted replicator device to retain the source IP address and configures the packet accordingly, using a combination of ingress replication and assisted replication to ensure the source IP address is retained for necessary devices, while using the assisted replicator to send copies to non-multi-homed devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If assisted replication is implemented in a multi-homing context, then network efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but the source IP address cannot be retained when forwarding packets to non-multi-homed devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a provider edge device as an intermediary between the assisted replicator and non-multi-homed devices. This intermediary retains the source IP address and performs local biasing, while the assisted replicator handles replication without needing to retain the source IP address itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packet distribution function into two parts: (1) assisted replicator handles replication to multiple devices, and (2) provider edge device handles source IP address retention and local biasing for non-multi-homed devices. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its strength.
2Reliability
If the assisted replicator retains the source IP address, then local biasing can be performed for non-multi-homed devices, but device complexity and reconfiguration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multi-homed devices to self-identify and self-select the appropriate provider edge device for local biasing based on their own multi-homing status. This eliminates the need for the assisted replicator to maintain complex state information about which devices are multi-homed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the assisted replicator determine which devices need local biasing, the patent inverts the approach by having non-multi-homed devices indicate their need for local biasing through the packet routing process, eliminating the need for the assisted replicator to track device characteristics.
3Loss of information
If ingress replication is used for all devices, then source IP address is always retained, but processing resources and network bandwidth are consumed inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different packet handling strategies to different devices based on their multi-homing status: multi-homed devices receive packets from the assisted replicator without source IP retention (saving resources), while non-multi-homed devices receive packets with source IP retention through the provider edge device (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the source IP address parameter selectively: packets to multi-homed devices keep the original source IP address, while packets to non-multi-homed devices have the source IP address modified to that of the provider edge device performing local biasing.
Data Source
AI summary
A device may receive, from a provider edge device, a packet to be provided to one or more other provider edge devices. Some of the one or more other provider edge devices may be multi-homed with a same customer edge device as the provider edge device. The device may configure a source IP address of the packet based on a capability of an assisted replicator device after receiving the packet. The capability may relate to whether the assisted replicator device is capable of retaining the source IP address of the packet as received from the provider edge device. The device may provide the packet to at least some provider edge devices, of the one or more other provider edge devices, after configuring the source IP address of the packet.