Multi-Gateway Address Advertising for Network Path Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies face challenges in efficiently routing network traffic between private and public networks due to suboptimal placement of gateways, leading to increased latency, jitter, and packet loss.
Innovation Solution
The method involves advertising a public network address of a network client at multiple gateways in a network, allowing the public network to dynamically select the lowest-cost communication path for routing network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single gateway is used for routing network traffic between private and public networks, then device complexity is reduced, but network performance deteriorates due to suboptimal path selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gateway function by allowing multiple gateways to advertise the same public network address, enabling independent path selection for different traffic flows. This segmentation enables the network to choose optimal paths without requiring complex centralized control, thus improving performance while keeping individual gateway configurations simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the network dynamically determines the optimal communication path based on real-time routing cost metrics. The system can switch between different gateways and paths as network conditions change, improving reliability without requiring complex static configurations.
2Reliability
If multiple gateways advertise the same public network address, then network performance improves through optimal path selection, but device complexity increases due to multiple gateway configurations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gateways are configured to perform the same function of advertising the public network address, making them universal in their role. This multi-functionality allows any gateway in the set to serve as the optimal path under different network conditions, improving performance without requiring specialized complex configurations at each gateway.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from routing cost metrics to dynamically select the optimal path. The network monitors performance and uses this feedback to determine which gateway provides the lowest cost path, automatically adjusting traffic routing without requiring complex manual configuration of individual gateways.
3Reliability
If the network selects the lowest-cost communication path dynamically, then network performance improves through optimal routing, but loss of information increases due to potential path changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where routing decisions are based on real-time cost metric feedback. This feedback loop ensures that path selection is driven by actual network conditions rather than static configurations, improving routing efficiency while maintaining consistency through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic routing where the communication path can change based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing network topology and performance characteristics, improving routing efficiency without causing information loss through coordinated state management during path transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for improving network performance by advertising a single network address at diverse points (e.g., gateways) interfacing between two networks. The result of advertising a single network address at diverse points is that network traffic routing can select a shortest or lowest cost communication path that includes one of the points that advertised the single network address. Inline metadata and/or sideband signaling may be used to indicate to a network client which gateway received the traffic so that this gateway can be selected for subsequent network communication. The disclosed systems and methods assign the same network address to multiple nodes (e.g., client, switch, server, router, etc.), which is advertised to the network. Routing network traffic can use routing tables to find an optimal or superior communication path that includes one of the nodes that advertised the network address.