Multihomed Host Routing via Source Address Gateway Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multihomed hosts in telecommunications networks face issues with single default gateways being a point of failure and lacking scalability, leading to potential connectivity loss and configuration complexities, especially in fault-tolerant systems.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows a multihomed host to utilize multiple default gateways by assigning a source address from available network addresses, determining the associated default gateway for each, and routing data packets through this gateway, even if no exact route is found in the routing table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single default gateway is assigned to a multihomed host, then the routing configuration is simple, but the system becomes vulnerable to connectivity loss and lacks fault tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the default gateway function by assigning multiple default gateways to the multihomed host, each associated with different network addresses. This allows the system to divide the single gateway dependency into multiple independent gateway options, thereby improving fault tolerance while maintaining configuration simplicity through automated selection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic gateway selection where the host automatically determines which default gateway to use based on the assigned source address and routing table lookup. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different network conditions and failover scenarios without manual reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple default gateways are assigned to a multihomed host, then fault tolerance and scalability are improved, but the device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the multihomed host to automatically determine the appropriate default gateway based on its assigned source address and routing table. The host performs routing table lookups and gateway selection autonomously without requiring manual configuration or external intervention, thereby achieving fault tolerance while avoiding the complexity of manual gateway management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically selecting default gateways based on the source address parameter and routing table entries. The system changes the gateway selection parameter according to the network conditions and assigned addresses, allowing multiple gateways to be configured without increasing operational complexity through automated parameter-based selection.
3Measurement precision
If a routing table lookup is performed for each data packet, then accurate routing is achieved, but the processing time and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple default gateways with their associated network addresses in the routing table before packet processing. The routing table is prepared in advance with gateway-to-address mappings, allowing quick lookup during packet processing without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus achieving accurate routing with minimal processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention allows routing data packets from a multihomed host. A default gateway is associated with each of network addresses associated with the multihomed host. One of the associated network addresses is assigned to a data packet to be sent from the multihomed host as its source address. A routing table of the multihomed host is searched for a route matching a destination address of the data packet. It is determined, in response to one of no route found and the found route being a default route of the routing table, which of the default gateways is associated with the assigned source address, and the data packet is dispatched to this determined default gateway.