Backup BGP Path Calculation for Fast Convergence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current BGP convergence in computer networks is slow due to lengthy BGP calculations and routing table updates following a network element failure, leading to potential traffic loss and adverse network conditions, especially in non-multipath BGP configurations without backup tunnels or multipath BGP.
Innovation Solution
A technique that calculates and stores backup BGP paths alongside the best path, allowing for quick switching to a backup path upon best path failure, thereby reducing convergence time and eliminating the need for manual configuration or multipath BGP.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional BGP path selection is used, then routing simplicity is maintained, but convergence speed deteriorates due to lengthy BGP calculations and routing table updates after path failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores multiple alternative BGP paths (backup paths, second backup paths, etc.) before any failure occurs. When the best path fails, the router can immediately switch to a pre-computed backup path without performing lengthy BGP calculations at the moment of failure, thus achieving fast convergence while maintaining routing simplicity.
2Speed
If backup paths are pre-calculated and stored, then convergence speed improves, but device complexity increases due to additional path calculation and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The router performs backup path calculations during normal operation when network conditions are stable, storing these pre-computed paths for immediate use upon failure. This separates the computational burden from the failure response moment, achieving fast convergence without excessive complexity during critical failure scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements differentiated path storage with multiple levels of backup (backup paths, second backup paths) with different priorities and characteristics. Each backup path type serves specific recovery scenarios, allowing the system to optimize storage and computation resources by maintaining only necessary backup paths rather than all possible paths.
3Speed
If multipath BGP or backup tunnels are used, then convergence speed improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The router automatically performs backup path calculation, selection, and configuration without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the entire backup path lifecycle including monitoring path validity, updating backup paths when network conditions change, and switching to appropriate backup paths upon failure, eliminating cumbersome manual configuration while achieving fast convergence.
4Reliability
If multiple BGP paths are installed in routing table, then connectivity reliability improves, but loss of time increases due to path selection calculations during failure
Solution Approach 1:
The router pre-determines and stores the order of preference for multiple BGP paths before any failure occurs. When the best path fails, the router simply switches to the pre-designated backup path without performing path selection calculations at the moment of failure, thus maintaining high connectivity reliability while minimizing path selection time during failure scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique institutes backup Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) paths for non-multipath BGP Fast Convergence in a computer network. According to the novel technique, a protecting node, e.g., a border router, calculates a best BGP path to a destination prefix, and also calculates one or more backup BGP paths (i.e., non-multipath paths) to the destination prefix. The best path is selected as a utilized path for the destination prefix, e.g., the path over which to send traffic destined for the prefix from the border router. Upon determining that the best BGP path has failed, one of the backup BGP paths is selected as the utilized path for the destination prefix.