Network Route Publishing via Topology Traversal and Metadata

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method for L3VPN route publishing in distributed architectures is complex, difficult to troubleshoot, and incompatible with SDN centralized controllers, especially in complex topologies, requiring a route reflector technique and lengthy deployment cycles.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that traverse a pre-constructed network topology starting from a local route introductory node with a maximum hop count to generate and publish network-side routes, utilizing metadata and a publishing engine to adapt to different scenarios without software upgrades, by configuring listener and reflector nodes and service level metadata.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If distributed architecture-based MP-BGP is used for L3VPN route publishing, then route publishing capability is achieved, but configuration complexity increases and troubleshooting becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute publishing capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a route reflector as an intermediary component that mediates route publishing between PE nodes. Instead of direct peer-to-peer route publishing which requires complex RT configuration, the route reflector centralizes the route publishing process, simplifying configuration while maintaining full route publishing capability across the L3VPN network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the route publishing function by separating route reflection capabilities from standard BGP operations. By dividing the system into route reflector nodes and regular PE nodes with distinct functional roles, the complexity of RT configuration is isolated to specific nodes, making the overall system easier to configure and troubleshoot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If route reflector technique is used to support complex topologies, then route publishing flexibility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetopology adaptation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the route reflector technique universally applicable to all L3VPN topologies by designing it as an optional enhancement that can be deployed regardless of network complexity. The same route reflector mechanism handles both simple and complex topologies uniformly, providing flexibility without requiring different solutions for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring route reflector nodes with their reflection capabilities before actual route publishing begins. This allows the system to handle complex topologies from the outset without requiring dynamic complexity management during operation, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If RT technique is used to control route publishing between neighbors, then route publishing control is achieved, but configuration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute publishing controlVSAvoidconfiguration difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex RT configuration requirements from the general route publishing process and concentrates them specifically in the route reflector nodes. This allows regular PE nodes to use simpler configuration while the route reflector handles the sophisticated route control logic, making the overall system easier to configure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The route reflector acts as an intermediary that simplifies route publishing control. Instead of requiring complex RT configuration between all pairs of PE nodes, the route reflector mediates route publishing with simpler configuration rules, reducing configuration difficulty while maintaining precise control over which routes are published to which neighbors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If protocol model is solidified in distributed MP-BGP, then stability is improved, but scheme updating and deployment cycle lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol stabilityVSAvoiddeployment cycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the route reflector configuration modular and adaptable. While the core BGP protocol remains stable, the route reflector component can be updated and configured flexibly to accommodate new requirements without changing the fundamental protocol model, enabling faster scheme updates and deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3637699B1Method and device for publishing network route
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 ZTE CORP
  • EP3637699B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3637699B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and device for publishing a static network route, the method including: traversing (S101) a pre-constructed network topology starting from a local route introductory node in the network and according to a maximum hop count so as to obtain a traversing result list containing traversed listener nodes and reflector nodes; and according to the traversing result list, generating (S102) a network-side route and publishing the generated network-side route to corresponding nodes in the network.