BGP Wide Community Container for Simultaneous Route Attribute Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing BGP Routing Policy Distribution can only apply one action or change to a route at a time, leading to inefficiencies in managing multiple route attributes.
Innovation Solution
The method extends BGP by using a BGP wide community container to indicate multiple route attributes that can be changed simultaneously, specifying conditions and actions within new wide-community-Atoms such as IPv4/IPv6 Session, Prefix Range, and AS Path, allowing for multiple actions to be applied with a single communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If BGP routing policy distribution applies one action or change to a route at a time, then the routing policy can be applied with simplicity and clarity, but the efficiency of managing multiple route attributes deteriorates due to sequential processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple route attribute changes into a single BGP community container structure. Instead of applying changes sequentially through multiple separate BGP updates, the invention merges multiple attribute modifications (such as local preference, MED, AS path prepend) into one unified data structure that can be processed and applied simultaneously in a single BGP update message, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining policy clarity
Solution Approach 2:
The BGP community container structure is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of carrying multiple types of route attribute changes and conditions within a single structure. This universal container can accommodate different attribute types (local preference, MED, AS path) and different operation types (set, add, remove, increment, decrement) in a unified manner, allowing the system to handle diverse routing policy requirements through a single mechanism
2Stability of the object's composition
If BGP uses traditional community containers for route attribute changes, then the protocol maintains backward compatibility and simple structure, but the capability to handle complex routing scenarios with multiple simultaneous attribute changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple attribute change operations are nested within a single BGP community container. The container follows the Type-Length-Value (TLV) format with a type field identifying the container kind, a length field specifying the size, and a value field containing the nested attribute modifications. This nesting approach allows complex multi-attribute changes to be embedded within the existing BGP update structure, maintaining protocol stability while enabling enhanced functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the complex routing policy into distinct components within the BGP community container, including type field, length field, and value field with specific sub-structures for different attribute types. Each attribute change (local preference, MED, AS path) is segmented into separate operable elements within the container, allowing the system to process and apply individual attributes independently while transmitting them together in a single unified structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extending Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to change multiple route attributes at a time. The method includes receiving a BGP wide community container that includes an indication that multiple route attributes can be changed at a time, a one or more route conditions, and actions to perform on the multiple route attributes when the one or more route conditions are met. The method determines whether the route conditions are satisfied. The method performs the actions specified in the BGP wide community container on the multiple route attributes when the one or more route conditions are satisfied.