Network Availability API for Scalable Router Convergence Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network availability measurement techniques face scalability and accuracy issues due to the inability to effectively monitor network convergence in large networks, especially at a millisecond timescale, and lack of completeness in path coverage, which complicates identifying and analyzing network failures.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network availability API that utilizes route convergence and traffic demand measurements from routers to compute network availability, providing operational statistics through a clearly organized database and uniform programming interface, allowing for accurate and detailed network performance assessment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If probe messages are transmitted throughout the network to measure convergence, then network availability can be measured, but the system does not scale well and suffers from accuracy and completeness issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network elements (routers, switches, network devices) to automatically generate and report their own availability metrics without requiring external probe messages. Each network element self-measures its convergence time and availability statistics, eliminating the need for centralized probing infrastructure and achieving both high accuracy and scalability simultaneously
2Reliability
If probes are injected throughout the network to measure convergence, then availability data can be collected, but completeness of path coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network measurement task into independent segments at each network element. Instead of using centralized probes to cover all paths, each router and switch independently measures its own convergence behavior for its specific forwarding paths. This segmentation ensures complete path coverage while maintaining high measurement efficiency through parallel distributed operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems are used to provide network availability information, then comprehensive data can be obtained, but applications must interface with multiple systems which complicates implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal standardized interface (API) that provides comprehensive network availability information from multiple network elements through a single unified access point. The API aggregates convergence time statistics, availability metrics, and performance data from various routers and switches, allowing applications to obtain complete network-wide availability information while interfacing with only one standardized system
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at a network device, route convergence measurements and traffic demand measurements from a plurality of routers, and computing network availability based on the measurements at the network device. The route convergence measurements are associated with route computations at the routers and the traffic demand measurements include portions of a demand matrix associated with the routers. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.