Non-Colored Segment Routing LSP Provisioning via BGP Policy Color

The patent changes the parameter value of the policy color field from traditional color values to a designated value (e.g., 0xFFFFFFFF), which signals to receiving routers that the path should be treated as non-colored. This parameter change allows the system to maintain backward compatibility with colored path mechanisms while enabling non-colored path establishment, thus resolving the contradiction between path identification accuracy and flexibility.

The patent segments the routing table storage mechanism by introducing a separate data structure (non-colored path routing table) for non-colored paths, distinct from the traditional colored path routing table. This segmentation allows routers to maintain organized colored path management while simultaneously supporting non-colored paths, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability in policy processing by enabling routers to determine at runtime whether to treat a path as colored or non-colored based on the policy color field value. When the designated value is present, the router dynamically switches to non-colored path processing mode, allowing flexible traffic engineering without sacrificing policy-based control automation.