IP Network Routing Simulation via Cluster Graph Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In complex modern networks, understanding how configuration changes affect routing tables is difficult and costly, leading to frequent network outages and significant losses, as current simulation tools struggle to efficiently analyze and predict the impact of changes across large networks with hundreds or thousands of routers.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves creating Network Cluster Graphs (NCGs) to simplify routing table calculations by dividing networks into logical routing clusters, allowing for two-stage simulation: flooding routes within clusters and exchanging them between clusters, which helps in route convergence and visualization of traffic flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network simulation tools are used to analyze routing changes in large networks, then network reliability can be improved by identifying potential issues before implementation, but the complexity and computational cost increase significantly when dealing with networks containing hundreds or thousands of routers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large network into multiple routing clusters, where each cluster is a subset of routers running the same routing protocol. This segmentation allows the simulation to process each cluster separately and then aggregate results, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining simulation accuracy for predicting routing changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual network that is a simplified copy of the physical network, using the same topology and routing protocols but with reduced complexity for simulation purposes. This virtual copy allows analysts to test routing changes without affecting the actual network, improving reliability while keeping simulation manageable.
2Measurement precision
If detailed high-fidelity simulations are performed to accurately predict routing changes, then measurement precision is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into routing clusters and processing them in stages (intra-cluster routing first, then inter-cluster routing), the patent achieves accurate routing change predictions through a two-phase simulation approach that is computationally efficient and completes in reasonable time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary routing calculations within each cluster before performing inter-cluster routing calculations. This preliminary action allows the simulation to establish baseline routing tables and identify potential issues early, improving prediction accuracy while reducing the complexity of subsequent calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for simulating IP networks. Routing Clusters are formed by grouping routers that are connected directly or indirectly and are running the same routing protocol. Routers that are configured to run more than one routing protocols became Border Routers for routing clusters based on these routing protocols. Routing tables are formed by flooding the routers inside the routing clusters and by flooding routes across routing links by redistribution command.