Logical Routers with Fast Interconnect for Flexible Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network infrastructure providers face challenges in accommodating growth and flexibility, particularly for 'point of presence' providers who need to constantly change network configurations to meet user demands, requiring more capable and adaptable network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Deploying routers as multiple logical routers that share a common fast interconnect, allowing for flexible resource allocation and independent management, enabling administrators to configure their own logical routers without involving the router owner in every configuration change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single physical router is used to serve multiple network functions, then device complexity is reduced and resource utilization is improved, but flexibility and adaptability for different network configurations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single physical router into multiple virtual routers (VRs), each functioning as an independent logical entity with its own configuration, management, and resource allocation. This segmentation allows the physical router to serve multiple network functions simultaneously while maintaining the flexibility of separate router configurations, resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and improved adaptability.
2Reliability
If the router owner manages all configuration changes, then system control and security are maintained, but operational efficiency and responsiveness to user demands deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables virtual router administrators to independently configure and manage their own virtual routers without requiring router owner intervention for each configuration change. The system maintains security through authentication and authorization mechanisms while allowing end-users to perform self-service configuration, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining system control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical routers are deployed to accommodate different network functions, then adaptability and network capacity are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple virtual routers onto a single physical router platform, allowing different network functions and configurations to coexist on shared hardware infrastructure. This merging approach maintains the adaptability and capacity of having multiple routers while reducing the actual device count, infrastructure complexity, and associated costs through resource virtualization and sharing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include providing a router that may be deployed as multiple logical routers that share a common fast interconnect. These logical routers may functionally serve as core routers, peering routers, aggregation routers, etc. A further aspect of the system and methods is that the resources assigned to a logical router are allocated from a pool potentially including multitude of hardware cards. A further aspect of the system and methods is that a logical router may be independently managed by the owner of the router or by an owner of the logical router.