Network Element Inter-Network Policy-Based Routing Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network routing technologies face challenges in configuration flexibility and unwanted diversion of data packets due to the distinct control planes of Policy-Based Routing (PBR) and Automatic Routing Process (ARP), leading to potential overloading and Quality of Experience (QoE) issues, especially in congested links.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an internetwork policy-based routing function that reviews and confirms or denies routing decisions made by the traditional routing process, eliminating the need for route learning and interaction with the ARP control plane, thereby avoiding unnecessary data packet diversions and enhancing QoS management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Policy-Based Routing (PBR) is implemented with distinct control plane from Automatic Routing Process (ARP), then routing policy flexibility is improved, but unwanted diversion of data packets occurs leading to network overloading and QoE degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control planes of PBR and ARP into a unified control plane. The routing decision engine receives routing decisions from both PBR and ARP, applies policies from both, and makes final routing decisions based on combined information. This integration ensures that PBR policies work in coordination with ARP route learning, preventing unwanted packet diversion while maintaining routing flexibility through policy application on top of the unified routing framework.
2Ease of operation
If PBR routing rules are applied at network element input, then routing policy enforcement is improved, but unnecessary data packet diversions occur causing link overloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the routing decision engine receives routing decisions from both PBR and ARP, evaluates them together, and applies policies in a coordinated manner. The unified control plane uses feedback from both routing processes to make informed routing decisions, ensuring that PBR policy enforcement does not cause unnecessary packet diversion. The system evaluates the combined routing information before forwarding packets, preventing congestion on specific links while maintaining policy compliance.
3Extent of automation
If traditional routing process is used with route learning, then automatic routing decisions are improved, but configuration flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal routing framework where a single routing decision engine handles both automatic routing decisions from ARP and policy-based routing from PBR. The unified control plane performs multiple functions: it learns routes through ARP, enforces PBR policies, and makes final routing decisions by combining both sources of information. This multi-functional approach maintains the automation benefits of traditional routing while adding the configuration flexibility of PBR through a single integrated system.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to route a data packet in a communication network, a network element implements a traditional routing process including taking a routing decision as a function of the destination of the data packet according to route learning in the communication network. The routing element reviews the routing decision taken by the traditional routing process via an internetwork policy-based routing function selected from among a plurality of candidate internetwork policy-based routing functions, each candidate internetwork policy-based routing function being assigned to an egress interface of the network element and vice versa. The selected internetwork policy-based routing function is that which is assigned to the egress interface selected by the traditional routing process for routing the data packet in the communication network.