Consensus Protocol for BGP Route Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) between autonomous systems can lead to incorrect routing announcements, known as BGP hijacking, due to hardware malfunctions, human errors, or malicious activities, causing security concerns and errors in traffic routing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a consensus protocol among routers from different autonomous systems to adopt routes only when a consensus is reached within the group, using tokens to represent the operational performance of each router and incentivize correct route proposals, and employing mechanisms like Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) validation to verify route announcements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If BGP protocol is used for route exchange between autonomous systems, then routing information can be shared widely, but incorrect routing announcements (BGP hijacking) may propagate causing security concerns and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a consensus group as an intermediary body between route originators and the broader BGP network. This consensus group validates route announcements before they propagate widely, acting as a mediator that filters out incorrect routing information while allowing legitimate routes to pass through. The consensus mechanism serves as a trust intermediary that resolves the conflict between wide route exchange and accuracy verification.
2Reliability
If route validation mechanisms like consensus protocols are implemented, then routing accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BGP route validation process into distinct components: route originators that propose routes, a consensus group that validates routes, and token-based reputation systems that track router performance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable while achieving high routing accuracy.
3Productivity
If consensus protocol with token-based incentive system is used, then correct route proposals are incentivized, but operational complexity and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a token-based feedback mechanism where routers receive tokens for correct route proposals and lose tokens for incorrect proposals. This feedback system creates direct incentives for routers to maintain high operational accuracy. The token ledger provides continuous feedback about router performance, enabling the system to reward reliable participants and penalize unreliable ones, thereby increasing correct route proposal frequency while managing complexity through automated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described to utilize a consensus protocol to determine adoption of network routes between autonomous systems (ASes). One or more routers can act as proposers to the groups, proposing a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) route. Remaining routers vote on whether to accept or reject the announcement. If a majority of the routers of the group accept the announcement, each router modifies its routing tables to reflect the new route. A token ledger is maintained at each router and updated based on the votes of each router—increasing tokens held by routers who propose accepted routes or vote with the consensus, and decreasing tokens held by routers who proposed declined routes or vote against the consensus. The number of tokens held by a router can indicate the operational correctness of the router in proposing or adopting good network routes.