Programmable Network Route Discovery for Primary and Failover Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of determining optimal failover paths in large networks is exacerbated by the exponential increase in potential paths, leading to computational burdens and inefficiencies, particularly in failover scenarios where network connections fail.
Innovation Solution
A modular system for discovering and implementing communication paths using a depth-first search with cost-tracking and pruning strategies to identify both primary and failover paths, reducing computational burden and memory requirements by constraining search criteria and comparing path costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhaustive path determination is performed in large networks, then all failover options are identified, but computational burden increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network path search into two distinct phases: primary path discovery and failover path discovery. The primary path is determined first using standard routing protocols, then failover paths are searched only from specific egress ports of the primary path. This segmentation reduces the search space from the entire network to only relevant alternative paths, exponentially reducing computational burden while maintaining comprehensive failover coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the primary path before searching for failover paths. By establishing the primary path first and identifying its egress ports, the system prepares the search criteria in advance. This preliminary action allows the failover search to focus only on paths originating from specific ports, rather than searching all possible paths in the network, thus reducing computational complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple failover paths are calculated with respect to starting failover ports, then overlapping failover paths are prevented, but processing burden and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating each egress port of the primary path as a distinct starting point for failover path search. Each port has its own independent cost tracker that records only the paths originating from that specific port. This local tracking approach ensures that overlapping paths are prevented while minimizing memory usage, as each port's cost tracker only stores information relevant to its own failover options rather than maintaining a global view of all possible paths.
3Measurement precision
If all possible paths are explored in large networks, then optimal path is guaranteed, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by searching for failover paths only from the egress ports of the primary path, rather than exploring all possible paths in the network. This partial search approach is sufficient to identify all relevant failover options because any valid failover path must diverge from the primary path at some egress port. This constraint dramatically reduces processing time while maintaining the guarantee of finding the optimal failover path among the relevant options.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for determining primary and failover paths in a programmable communication network are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a system to identify a plurality of communication paths may operate in conjunction with a programmable communication network connecting a source and a destination. A path discovery subsystem may discover both a first and a second completed communication path between the source and the destination. A cost calculation subsystem may calculate a first cost for the first completed communication path and a second cost for the second completed communication path. A routing subsystem may identify a primary communication path based on the first cost and the second cost, and program the plurality of nodes to implement the primary communication path.