Cross-Slice Route Configuration for Segment Routing Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current routing methods in segment routing networks, such as FlexAlgo, suffer from poor network transmission performance due to reliance on a single path for packet forwarding, leading to failures when the path is unavailable or overloaded, resulting in reduced packet transmission success rates.
Innovation Solution
A route configuration method that utilizes an association relationship between multiple network slices to dynamically switch packet forwarding between paths, enabling cross-slice routing when the primary path is unavailable or overloaded, thereby improving network resource utilization and transmission performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single path is used for packet forwarding in segment routing networks, then the routing configuration is simple, but the packet transmission success rate deteriorates when the path is unavailable or overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing path into multiple independent paths across different network slices. Each path can be independently configured and selected, allowing the system to switch between paths when one becomes unavailable or overloaded, thus improving transmission reliability while maintaining manageable configuration through modular path segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection by enabling the routing device to switch between multiple pre-configured paths based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically monitors path availability and load, then dynamically redirects packets to alternative paths, transforming the static single-path routing into a dynamic multi-path system that adapts to changing network states
2Reliability
If multiple paths across different network slices are configured, then the packet transmission success rate improves through cross-slice forwarding, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single routing device to manage multiple network slices and their corresponding paths uniformly. The device configures and switches between paths from different slices (e.g., first network slice, second network slice) using consistent routing mechanisms, reducing the operational complexity that would otherwise arise from managing heterogeneous routing configurations across different slices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary routing mechanism that mediates between different network slices. The routing device acts as an intermediary that receives packets from one slice and forwards them to another slice through associated paths, simplifying the complexity of inter-slice communication by providing a standardized mediation layer rather than requiring direct complex interactions between slices
3Productivity
If cross-slice forwarding is implemented, then network resource utilization improves, but the routing information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple paths across different network slices before actual packet transmission occurs. The routing device预先 establishes the association relationships between paths and network slices, so that when packets need to be forwarded, the system can quickly switch between pre-prepared paths without performing complex real-time calculations, thus improving resource utilization while limiting processing complexity to configuration time rather than execution time
Data Source
AI summary
A first network device receives an association relationship sent by a second network device, where the association relationship includes an association relationship between a first path and a second path. The first network device generates first routing information between the first network device and a target network device based on the association relationship, where the first routing information is used by the first network device to send a packet to the target network device through the first path, and when a cross-slice condition is met, the first routing information is used by the first network device to send a packet to the target network device through the second path.