BGP Update Groups for Faster Convergence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) convergence methods are inefficient due to high resource overhead and inflexibility in managing update messages across peers, requiring manual configuration and independent message generation for each peer group, which slows convergence time and reduces processing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves establishing dynamic update groups based on matching outbound policies, allowing peers with similar policies to share update messages and automatically managing membership changes, thereby separating update message generation from peer-group configuration and reducing CPU and memory utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If update messages are sent independently to each peer group, then routing policy accuracy is maintained, but system processing overhead increases and convergence time slows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting policy accuracyVSAvoidconvergence speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments peers into update groups based on matching outbound policies, allowing independent update message generation for each group while maintaining policy accuracy. This segmentation enables parallel processing of updates across multiple groups, improving convergence speed without sacrificing routing policy precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of update message distribution from individual-peer-based to group-based, where peers with identical outbound policies are grouped together. This parameter change allows a single update message to be replicated to multiple peers simultaneously, reducing processing overhead and accelerating convergence while maintaining policy accuracy through group-based matching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If smaller peer-groups are configured to maintain policy flexibility, then routing policy adaptability is improved, but update message processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolicy flexibilityVSAvoidupdate processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic update groups that automatically form and dissolve based on peer outbound policy changes. This dynamic approach allows peers to be grouped with others having identical policies, maximizing group size for efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to reconfigure groups when policies change, thus resolving the contradiction between policy adaptability and processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages update group formation and peer assignment based on outbound policy matching, eliminating manual configuration requirements. This self-service mechanism dynamically adapts to policy changes and automatically optimizes group compositions, providing both policy flexibility and processing efficiency without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If manual peer group configuration is required, then routing policy control is precise, but system complexity and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolicy control precisionVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service automation where the system automatically forms update groups based on peer outbound policy matching and dynamically adjusts group compositions when policies change. This eliminates manual configuration complexity while maintaining precise policy control through automated policy-based grouping, resolving the contradiction between control precision and configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control mechanism from manual configuration to automated policy-based grouping. By using outbound policy matching as the grouping parameter, the system automatically achieves precise policy control without requiring manual configuration, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7359393B1Method and apparatus for border gateway protocol convergence using update groups
Publication Date: 2008.04.15 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US7359393B1 patent drawing
  • US7359393B1 patent drawing
  • US7359393B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and apparatus for establishing update groups of peers having matching outbound policies are disclosed. When a change in the outbound policy of a peer is identified, the update group membership of the peer is resolved.