On-Demand Tunnels for Dynamic Path Selection Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management and resource constraints in large and complex networks limit the ability to scale effectively, particularly due to the overhead associated with dynamic path selection (DPS) mechanisms, which can make it difficult to configure networks for optimal traffic routing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing on-demand tunnels (ODTs) using DPS capable network devices that establish optimal paths only when a trigger condition is met, such as a threshold of packets or rate, allowing for dynamic selection and encryption/augmentation of paths, and gracefully tearing down ODTs when conditions change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic path selection (DPS) mechanisms are implemented to enable optimal traffic routing, then network performance and adaptability are improved, but management overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the DPS functionality by introducing on-demand tunnels (ODTs) that are established only when specific trigger conditions are met. This divides the network into segments with active DPS (those with established ODTs) and segments without DPS (those without ODTs), reducing the overall management overhead while maintaining adaptability where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of DPS capabilities by allowing network devices to be configured as DPS-capable or non-DPS-capable on demand. The ODTs are dynamically established and torn down based on trigger conditions such as traffic thresholds, enabling the system to adapt its complexity level according to actual network needs rather than maintaining fixed high complexity throughout.
2Productivity
If DPS is enabled for all network devices to ensure optimal path selection, then routing performance improves, but scalability is limited due to increased resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling DPS functionality selectively at specific locations in the network where it is most beneficial. Instead of uniformly enabling DPS across all devices, the system establishes ODTs only for specific source-target pairs that meet trigger conditions, concentrating routing optimization resources where they provide maximum value while preserving scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by enabling DPS for only a subset of network traffic flows that require optimal routing, rather than applying it to all traffic. The trigger conditions determine which flows receive the enhanced routing treatment, allowing the system to achieve good routing efficiency for critical flows while avoiding the overhead of applying DPS universally, thus maintaining scalability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If on-demand tunnels are established frequently to meet traffic demands, then routing adaptability improves, but management overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring network devices with DPS capability and establishing ODTs in advance when trigger conditions are anticipated or met. This allows the system to be prepared for traffic demands before they fully materialize, reducing the need for frequent reactive tunnel establishment and teardown operations, thereby lowering management overhead while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, embodiments relates to a method for creating an on-demand tunnel (ODT) in a network between a first network device and a second network device, the method comprising: storing by the first network device, a potentially suboptimal path to the second network device, determining that a trigger condition to create the ODT between the first network device and the second network device is satisfied, in response to the determination: transmitting, by the first network device, an ODT signaling packet to the second network device via the potentially suboptimal path, receiving, from the second network device and in response to transmitting the ODT signaling packet, an ODT keepalive by first network device via the ODT, and transmitting, after receiving the ODT keepalive, a second packet to the second network device via the ODT.