BGP Performance Metric Artifact for Dynamic Path Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current network path selection methods, such as BGP, do not effectively account for application-specific performance requirements like latency, throughput, and packet loss, leading to suboptimal network performance due to their reliance on interior gateway protocol costs and lack of real-time network feedback.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a BGP Performance Metric artifact that actively propagates network performance metrics to customer edge routers, allowing for dynamic path selection based on application-specific requirements by considering metrics like latency, throughput, and packet loss, and enabling real-time adjustments as network conditions change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BGP path selection relies on interior gateway protocol costs, then routing stability is maintained, but application-specific performance requirements (latency, throughput, packet loss) are not effectively accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting stabilityVSAvoidapplication performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the path selection criteria into two distinct layers: BGP route selection based on interior gateway protocol costs for stability, and application-aware path selection within each BGP route based on real-time performance metrics. This segmentation allows both routing stability and application performance to be optimized independently without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that collects real-time performance metrics (latency, throughput, packet loss) from the network and makes them available to applications for path selection decisions. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between stable BGP routing and dynamic performance requirements without disrupting either system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If dynamic path selection based on real-time metrics is implemented, then application performance is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that collects real-time performance metrics (latency, throughput, packet loss) from the network and makes them available to applications for path selection decisions. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between stable BGP routing and dynamic performance requirements without disrupting either system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal path selection mechanism that can serve multiple applications with different performance requirements through a common interface and metric collection system. This multi-functional approach reduces overall network complexity by avoiding the need for separate solutions for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If applications can select paths based on performance metrics, then path selection optimality is improved, but information availability about real-time network conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepath selection optimalityVSAvoidreal-time network feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where real-time network performance metrics (latency, throughput, packet loss) are continuously collected from the network and fed back to the path selection process. This feedback loop enables applications to make informed decisions based on current network conditions, achieving optimal path selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component that collects real-time performance metrics (latency, throughput, packet loss) from the network and makes them available to applications for path selection decisions. This intermediary layer bridges the gap between stable BGP routing and dynamic performance requirements without disrupting either system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230353482A1Dynamic network metric sharing and application metric based network path selection

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving network performance metrics for a plurality of paths through a network, each path extending from a customer equipment to an application server for data communication by the customer equipment with an application running on the application server, selecting a selected path among the plurality of paths, wherein the selecting is based on the network performance metrics, and communicating between the customer equipment and the application server according to the selected path. Border gateway protocol (BGP) community values (BGP CV) add BGP performance metrics community values (BPM CV) to convey network performance metrics to provider edge routers and customer premises equipment for network selection. Other embodiments are disclosed.