Customer Edge Device Problem Identification via Intermediary BGP Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise customer edge devices connected through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) often face issues with accessing provider edge devices, leading to undetected network topology and communication problems due to lack of access to ISP and PE devices, which prevents the discovery of CE device relationships and identification of associated problems.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the analysis of autonomous system numbers, bgpPeerRemoteAs OID, bgpPeerState OID, ICMP echo requests, and SNMP problem identification to diagnose connection status and network topology, enabling the detection of issues between CE and PE devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CE devices are isolated from direct access to PE devices and ISP, then security and network protection are improved, but network topology discovery capability and problem identification capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between CE devices and PE devices. This intermediary can query BGP routing information and topology data from PE devices without requiring direct access from CE devices, thus maintaining security while enabling topology discovery. The intermediary translates and presents topology information to CE devices in a secure manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where BGP routing information and topology data are continuously collected and analyzed. The system provides feedback about network topology and connectivity status to CE devices, enabling them to discover network relationships and identify potential problems without direct access to PE devices or ISP infrastructure.
2Reliability
If CE devices lack direct access to PE devices, then network security is maintained, but connection status monitoring and problem identification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary system is introduced that can directly query PE devices for connection status information, BGP peer states, and routing table data. This intermediary then provides the collected information to CE devices, enabling precise connection status monitoring while maintaining the security boundary that prevents direct CE device access to PE devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively collecting BGP routing information, topology data, and connection status from PE devices before problems occur. This allows CE devices to have accurate, up-to-date information about network connectivity and peer states without needing direct real-time access to PE devices.
3Reliability
If direct access to PE devices is blocked, then ISP network protection is improved, but BGP routing information collection and topology analysis deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary that acts as a secure gateway between the ISP's PE devices and enterprise CE devices. This intermediary can collect BGP routing information, autonomous system numbers, and topology data from PE devices while maintaining ISP network protection. The collected routing information is then made available to CE devices for topology analysis and troubleshooting.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary system performs multiple functions: it collects BGP routing information, analyzes network topology, identifies connectivity problems, and provides this information to CE devices. This multi-functional approach ensures that routing information remains available for topology analysis while maintaining secure boundaries that protect ISP network infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and machine-readable and executable instructions are provided for customer edge device problem identification. Customer edge device problem identification can include obtaining a status of a connection between a provider edge (PE) device and a customer edge (CE) device. Customer edge device problem identification can also include determining whether the status of the connection is non-normal. Customer edge device problem identification can include sending an internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request to the CE device in response to the status of the connection being non-normal. Customer edge device problem identification can include receiving an ICMP echo response from the CE device. Customer edge device problem identification can also include identifying a simple network management protocol (SNMP) problem that is associated with the CE device based upon the receipt of the ICMP echo response.