BGP Signaling for Automated Virtual Network Join and Leave
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current configuration of extending VPN services from network providers to data center service providers requires manual and time-consuming processes, prone to errors due to multiple interfaces that need to be manually configured, and BGP lacks automation for provisioning and configuring virtual data centers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing automatic join and leave functions using BGP signaling, which includes sending BGP join and leave requests with quality of service and bandwidth requirements, and using BGP capabilities like Extended Communities and Dynamic Capabilities for in-band signaling to automate the provisioning of hosts and networks in virtual data centers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration is used to extend VPN services from network providers to data center service providers, then configuration can be performed with existing BGP infrastructure, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone due to multiple interfaces requiring manual setup
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-configuration of VPN services by having the data center service provider autonomously provision and configure virtual data centers without requiring manual intervention from network providers. The automated BGP signaling process allows the system to configure itself by exchanging join/leave requests and responses, eliminating manual configuration tasks while maintaining accuracy through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration actions by pre-defining the BGP signaling protocol and automated configuration workflows before actual VPN service deployment. The join request and leave request mechanisms are pre-established, allowing configurations to be performed automatically without manual intervention during the actual service provisioning, thus reducing both time and errors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interfaces are manually configured to extend VPN services, then comprehensive connectivity can be established, but configuration complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automated BGP signaling mechanism serves multiple configuration functions through a single unified process. The join request and leave request messages handle various configuration tasks including interface setup, routing configuration, and connectivity establishment automatically. This multi-functional approach maintains comprehensive VPN service extendability while reducing configuration complexity by consolidating multiple manual tasks into one automated workflow.
3Productivity
If BGP is extended with automatic join/leave functions, then provisioning efficiency is improved, but protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the VPN provisioning functionality with existing BGP protocol mechanisms by utilizing BGP Open messages, Update messages, and Keepalive messages for automatic join/leave operations. The extended BGP protocol integrates these new functions into the existing message structure rather than creating separate protocols, thereby improving provisioning efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall protocol complexity through reuse of established BGP components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing an automatic join and leave function for either a host or network using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) signaling, the method comprising, sending a BGP join request that indicates a request to join a virtual network, receiving a BGP join response that indicates either an acceptance or a rejection of the BGP join request, adding the host to the virtual network when the BGP join response accepts the BGP join request, sending a BGP leave request that indicates a request to leave the virtual network, receiving a BGP leave response that indicates either an acceptance or a rejection of the BGP leave request, and removing the host from the virtual network when the BGP leave response accepts the BGP leave request, wherein the BGP join request comprises a quality of service (QoS) requirement and a bandwidth requirement.