Distributed Flood Reduction Migration via Two-Hop Flooding Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dense topologies, interior gateway protocol (IGP) flooding mechanisms lead to overflooding due to the generation of multiple identical copies of information, causing slower convergence times and higher resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that involves receiving a modified link state protocol (LSP) data unit, determining algorithm versions, calculating a shortest-path spanning tree (SPT), and truncating it to two hops to form a flooding group, allowing seamless migration between different flood reduction algorithms without centralized devices or manual configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IGP flooding mechanisms are used in dense topologies, then complete flood coverage is achieved, but overflooding occurs causing slower convergence times and higher resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flooding process by dividing the network into flooding groups based on algorithm compatibility. Each flooding group is handled separately with optimized flooding behavior, preventing global overflooding while maintaining local coverage. Network devices are segmented into different operational modes (original algorithm vs. new algorithm) that interact through controlled mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different flooding behaviors in different regions of the network. Devices running the original algorithm maintain traditional flooding behavior, while devices running the new algorithm use optimized flooding. The interaction between these regions is controlled through metric manipulation and sequence number validation, ensuring each region operates optimally for its algorithm type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flood reduction algorithms are deployed in the same network, then algorithm migration is enabled, but device complexity increases due to supporting multiple algorithms simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a flooding mechanism that can handle both original algorithm LSP data units and new algorithm LSP data units through a unified processing framework. The same device can process LSPs from devices running either algorithm type, with automatic detection and appropriate handling based on sequence numbers and metric values, eliminating the need for separate processing paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to differentiate between algorithm types and control flooding behavior. Key parameters include sequence numbers (original vs. new algorithm identification), metric values (manipulated to control flooding groups), and algorithm compatibility flags. By changing these parameters, the system enables seamless algorithm migration without increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If traditional IGP flooding is used, then all network devices receive information copies, but resource utilization increases due to processing multiple identical copies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of flooding (information distribution) while removing the harmful aspect (duplicate processing). By using sequence numbers and metric manipulation, the system extracts only the necessary LSP copies for each device, eliminating redundant copies that would otherwise be processed. This maintains complete information distribution while reducing resource utilization to the minimum necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
A first network device of a first tier of a network may receive a modified link state protocol (LSP) data unit, and may determine, based on the modified LSP data unit, whether an origin of the modified LSP data unit is executing the same algorithm as the first network device. The first network device may calculate a shortest-path spanning tree (SPT), and may set metrics to one for links associated with the first network device and the plurality of other network devices based on determining that the origin of the modified LSP data unit is executing a different algorithm than the first network device. The first network device may truncate the SPT to determine a flooding group, may select a member of the flooding group to flood the modified LSP data unit, and may cause the member to provide the modified LSP data unit to a second tier network device.