BGP Signaling of Encoded Service Intent for Inter-AS Connections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual configuration of edge devices in autonomous systems for inter-AS connections is cumbersome and error-prone, especially when operators lack direct access to devices managed by different service providers.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing existing control-plane protocols like BGP to encode service intent into IP addresses, allowing network operators to signal the need for service instantiation across autonomous systems without direct access to tail-end devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of edge devices is used to establish inter-AS connections, then service providers can create point-to-point connections between autonomous systems, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous systems to self-configure inter-AS connections by automatically generating and processing service instance identifiers. Edge devices autonomously advertise available services and consume services from other autonomous systems without manual operator intervention, eliminating configuration errors while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary service advertisement where autonomous systems pre-register their available services and capabilities before actual connection establishment. This advance preparation allows consuming systems to automatically discover and establish connections without manual configuration, reducing both errors and operational complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If network operators access each edge device directly to provision services, then services can be configured on edge devices, but operators are unable to provision services on edge devices in different autonomous systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary control plane protocol that mediates service provisioning across autonomous system boundaries. Instead of direct operator access to remote edge devices, the protocol enables indirect service instantiation through standardized advertisements and consumption requests, allowing cross-AS service provisioning without physical or direct logical access to remote devices
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane protocol serves multiple functions: advertising available services, consuming services from other autonomous systems, establishing connections, and managing service lifecycles. This universal mechanism enables network operators to provision services across any autonomous system boundary through a single standardized interface
3Productivity
If traditional manual configuration methods are used for edge devices, then services can be instantiated on edge devices, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated service provisioning where edge devices and autonomous systems autonomously advertise, discover, and establish connections based on service instance identifiers. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual configuration steps, dramatically increasing service provisioning speed while reducing the time operators need to spend on repetitive configuration tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane protocol implements feedback mechanisms where autonomous systems advertise their service capabilities and receive consumption requests, automatically establishing connections and provisioning services. This closed-loop feedback system enables rapid automated service deployment without manual intervention, significantly improving productivity and reducing configuration time
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for devices in autonomous systems to utilize a protocol, such as a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), to signal intent to instantiate services for establishing connections between the devices. For instance, first device(s) in a first autonomous system (AS) may determine to establish a connection with a second AS. The first device(s) may encode a service key into an Internet Protocol (IP) address where the service key indicates a service that is to be provisioned on second device(s) in the second AS. The first device(s) system may then advertise the IP address host-route using BGP, and the second device(s) may receive the BGP advertisement. The second device(s) may decode the service key from the IP address, and provision the service to establish the connection between the autonomous systems. Thus, the devices in may leverage existing protocols to signal intent to instantiate services and establish connections between autonomous systems.