Dynamic Edge Router Role Selection for Network Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional enterprise network deployments with dual edge routers cannot dynamically steer traffic across different networking layers due to symmetric routing requirements, leading to packet loss when the primary edge router experiences transport link issues, even if the secondary router's links are active.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system that dynamically reassigned the primary edge router role based on transport link conditions, using parameters like VRRP priorities, BGP/OSPF preferences, and trigger conditions such as control connection status and BFD availability, to route traffic through the secondary edge router if the primary router's links are experiencing issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual edge routers are configured with symmetric routing for redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but traffic cannot be steered across different networking layers due to symmetric routing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric routing by allowing non-symmetric routing paths between edge routers and external networks. This enables traffic steering across different networking layers (L4 to L7) while maintaining redundancy. The system breaks the symmetric routing constraint that previously prevented layer 7 steering, allowing traffic to take different paths based on network conditions and security requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where edge routers can switch between primary and secondary roles based on transport link conditions. The system dynamically adjusts routing behavior according to real-time network state, enabling flexible traffic steering that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining reliability through role-based redundancy.
2Device complexity
If one edge router is designated as primary and another as secondary, then device complexity is reduced, but packet loss occurs when the primary router experiences transport link issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static primary-secondary router designation into a dynamic role assignment system. Edge routers continuously monitor transport link conditions and can switch roles based on actual network state. This dynamic approach maintains simplicity in configuration while eliminating packet loss by ensuring traffic always routes through an active router, regardless of which router is currently primary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where edge routers monitor transport link status and use this information to dynamically adjust their roles. When the primary router experiences link issues, the secondary router detects this through feedback signals and takes over traffic routing, preventing packet loss while maintaining configuration simplicity.
3Device complexity
If traffic is routed through the primary edge router, then routing simplicity is maintained, but network resilience decreases when the primary router's transport links fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic role switching that maintains routing simplicity from the perspective of the routing protocol while enhancing network resilience. The routing configuration remains simple with a single primary designator, but the system dynamically adapts to link failures by allowing the secondary router to take over, thus maintaining both simplicity and resilience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for transport link failures by maintaining a secondary router in standby mode with pre-configured routing capabilities. When failures occur, the secondary router can immediately take over without requiring complex reconfiguration, thus cushioning against the impact of link failures while maintaining routing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing edge routers include monitoring one or more trigger conditions related to transport links between two or more edge routers and one or more external networks. A first parameter associated with a first edge router is modified if at least one trigger condition is detected, the at least one trigger condition related to at least one transport link between the first edge router and the one or more external networks. The first parameter is compared with a second parameter associated with a second edge router of the two or more edge routers. A role of primary edge router is dynamically reassigned to one of the first edge router or the second router based on the comparison of the first parameter and the second parameter, where traffic between a local network and the one or more external networks is routed through the primary edge router.