IGP Zone Abstraction Using a Pseudo Node for Seamless Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network architectures face scalability issues and service interruptions when splitting a network into multiple areas, as it involves significant reorganization and time-consuming changes, particularly in Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) networks.
Innovation Solution
The method abstracts a zone as a single pseudo node, maintaining adjacency with external nodes while migrating the zone, using Hello packets with abstraction bits and pseudo node identifiers to establish and terminate adjacencies, and computing internal and external routes without advertising internal links to external nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a network is split from one area into multiple areas to improve scalability, then the network can accommodate more routers, but the reorganization process causes service interruptions and requires significant network architecture changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pseudo node as an intermediary representation of the zone during migration. This pseudo node maintains adjacency relationships with external nodes while the actual zone migration occurs, thereby preventing service interruptions and avoiding the need for immediate network architecture changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first establishing the pseudo node and its adjacencies before actually migrating the zone. This allows the network to prepare for scaling in advance without causing service interruptions, as the pseudo node is set up beforehand to handle external communications
2Quantity of substance
If a network is split from one area into multiple areas to improve scalability, then the network can accommodate more routers, but the reorganization process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudo node serves as a mediator that simplifies the migration process. By using the pseudo node to represent the zone during transition, the patent eliminates the need for complex, time-consuming reorganization steps, allowing the zone to be migrated efficiently while maintaining network functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the zone in the form of a pseudo node. This pseudo node replicates the essential functionality and adjacency relationships of the original zone, allowing the migration to proceed quickly without requiring detailed reconfiguration of the entire network architecture
3Reliability
If a zone is abstracted as a single pseudo node to minimize service interruptions, then service continuity is maintained, but the complexity of adjacency management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple zone edge nodes into a single pseudo node representation. This consolidation simplifies adjacency management by providing a single point of contact for external nodes, thereby reducing the complexity of managing individual adjacencies while maintaining service continuity
4Loss of information
If internal links are not advertised to external nodes to maintain security and topology abstraction, then zone topology is protected, but route computation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pseudo node acts as an intermediary that handles route computation between external nodes and the zone. It receives routing information from external nodes, computes appropriate routes to internal destinations without exposing internal topology, and returns paths to external nodes, thereby protecting topology information while managing route computation centrally
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods for migrating a zone to a pseudo node are described herein including a method performed by a zone edge node. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the zone edge node, an execution request to initiate migration from the zone to the pseudo node. The method also includes sending, by the zone edge node, at least one Hello packet to a zone external node adjacent to the zone edge node for requesting the zone external node to create an adjacency between the pseudo node and the zone external node on the zone external node. The method further includes creating, by the zone edge node, the adjacency between the pseudo node and the zone external node on the zone edge node.