Path Change Root-Cause Identification in IP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In IP networks, it is challenging for network administrators to identify the root cause of path changes due to the distributed nature of routing protocols, which makes it difficult to track and manage traffic flows across multiple areas, as each router makes independent forwarding decisions based on local information without a centralized state associated with packet paths.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that monitor and analyze routing protocol events to determine whether they affect the path by classifying events as either Shortest Path Graph (SPG) events or exit point events, allowing for real-time identification of the root cause of path changes by evaluating their impact on monitored paths within a multi-area routing domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distributed routing protocols are used to enable rapid recovery and automatic path adjustment, then network reliability and adaptability are improved, but the ability to identify root cause of path changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path monitoring system as an intermediary layer between the distributed routing protocols and network administrators. This system collects path information from routers and correlates it with routing events to identify root causes, thereby maintaining the benefits of distributed routing while enabling root cause analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring actual packet paths and comparing them against expected paths based on routing events. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when path changes occur and trace them back to their root causes, resolving the contradiction between distributed operation and detectability.
2Speed
If routers make independent forwarding decisions based on local information, then routing speed and simplicity are improved, but the ability to track traffic flows across multiple areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates copies of path state information by having routers independently track their own forwarding decisions and path segments. These local copies are then aggregated by the monitoring system to reconstruct complete traffic flow paths, thereby preserving path state information without compromising the speed of independent routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the global path tracking function into local router-level path segment tracking. Each router maintains information about its own segment of the path, and these segments are assembled to form the complete path picture, enabling both fast local decisions and comprehensive global tracking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network events are allowed to influence path choices remotely, then network adaptability and traffic optimization are improved, but the complexity of identifying affected paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual path impact analysis with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms to automatically correlate routing events with affected paths by tracking path information and comparing it against event data, thereby reducing the complexity burden on network administrators while maintaining high network adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for identifying the root-cause event that affected a path change in a multi-area Internet protocol (IP) autonomous system (AS) operated according to a link state routing protocol such as the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol is disclosed. The method and system may enable a user, such as a network administrator, to explicitly identify which routing protocol events are responsible for changes to paths that are being monitored.