Network Topology Metrics Correlation for Routing Cost Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Communications networks lack an effective method to accurately determine and expose the total cost of routing paths, particularly due to the absence of recessive metrics in existing routing protocols, which limits network topology optimization and application-layer traffic optimization.
Innovation Solution
A method that receives and correlates multiple routing metrics, including interior and exterior gateway protocol metrics, and recessive metrics to calculate a corrected cost for routing paths, and exposes this network topology to external applications, enabling more informed decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network topology is hidden to maintain transparency to end users, then network security and simplicity are improved, but application-layer traffic optimization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (ALTO server or topology manager) that sits between the hidden network topology and external applications. This intermediary collects routing metrics from multiple sources (IGP, EGP, and recessive metrics), processes them to calculate corrected costs, and exposes the processed information to applications without revealing the actual network topology structure.
2Speed
If only dominant routing metrics are used for path determination, then routing decision speed is improved, but total cost accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple routing metrics (dominant metrics like IGP cost and EGP path length with recessive metrics like latency, bandwidth, and packet loss) to calculate a comprehensive corrected cost. This combination allows the system to maintain fast routing decisions based on dominant metrics while improving total cost accuracy by incorporating additional recessive metrics that were previously unavailable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the routing cost calculation by introducing corrected cost as a new parameter that incorporates both dominant and recessive metrics. The corrected cost is calculated by adjusting the initial cost (based on dominant metrics) with corrections derived from recessive metrics, thereby changing the cost parameter to reflect more accurate total path costs.
3Measurement precision
If multiple routing metrics from different sources are collected and correlated, then total cost accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metric collection and processing system into distinct functional components: metric collection modules that gather data from different sources (IGP, EGP, recessive metrics), a processing module that correlates and calculates corrected costs, and an exposure module that provides information to applications. This segmentation reduces system complexity by organizing the complex metric correlation process into manageable, modular components.
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method of determining a cost for a routing path in a network. The method includes: receiving a first metric for a plurality of links in a network, the first metric being a routing metric used to determine routing in the network; determining a routing path including a subset of the links based on the first metric, the routing path having an initial cost based on the first metric; receiving second metric information including a second metric that is different from the first metric; and calculating a corrected cost for the routing path based on the second metric.