BGP Route Advertisement Error Feedback Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
In BGP networks, repeated disconnections and reconnections occur when incorrect packets are transmitted between network devices, leading to communication flapping.
Innovation Solution
A packet advertisement method where a network device sends a first packet to advertise a route, receives an error indication, and determines a route advertisement policy to avoid sending incorrect packets, using existing BGP Notification packets with error codes and subcodes to convey error information and adjust advertisement policies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a network device sends route advertisement packets continuously after reconnection, then route information can be propagated, but incorrect packets cause repeated disconnections and flapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving device sends error notification packets back to the sending device when incorrect route advertisement packets are detected. The sending device processes these error notifications and adjusts its advertisement behavior accordingly, stopping or modifying advertisements for routes that cause errors. This closed-loop feedback system prevents repeated transmission of incorrect packets while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the sending device proactively adjust its route advertisement policy based on error notifications before further disconnections occur. When an error notification is received, the sending device pre-modifies its advertisement behavior by stopping advertisements for affected routes or adjusting attributes, preventing the condition that would lead to repeated flapping.
2Measurement precision
If error notification packets are added to convey detailed error information, then packet transmission accuracy improves, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing BGP Notification packet multi-functional by extending it to carry both traditional error notifications and new route advertisement error indications. The Notification packet structure is enhanced with additional error code and error subcode fields that can represent multiple types of errors including route advertisement issues, attribute errors, and next-hop errors, eliminating the need for separate packet types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters of existing BGP packets by introducing new error code values (7-9) and corresponding error subcode values in the Notification packet. These parameter changes allow the existing packet structure to convey detailed route advertisement error information without fundamentally altering the BGP protocol framework, maintaining compatibility while adding precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A packet advertisement method is implemented by a first network device. The packet advertisement method includes the first network device sending a first packet to a second network device advertising a route to the second network device. The first network device receives a second packet from the second network device in response to a first packet error. The second packet includes first indication information indicating the first packet error. The first network device determines, based on the first indication information, a route advertisement policy of a feature included in the first packet.