Predictive BGP Peering for Performance-Aware Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) path selection in computer networks does not consider performance metrics such as loss, latency, and jitter, leading to unpredictable and reactive network performance management, which affects the Quality of Experience (QoE) for applications like collaboration tools, gaming, and streaming services.
Innovation Solution
Implement a predictive BGP peering system that uses a device to map network destinations to BGP peers, perform path performance measurements, and configure BGP peering policies based on predicted performance metrics to optimize traffic routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If BGP uses a simplistic objective function based on the number of traversed autonomous systems, then the path selection process is simple and fast, but it does not take into account performance metrics such as loss, latency, and jitter, leading to poor application quality of experience
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary probing tests to measure path performance metrics (loss, latency, jitter, throughput) before actual application traffic is routed. This advance measurement allows the BGP path selection to consider performance metrics proactively rather than reactively, improving application QoE while maintaining simple BGP operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic performance measurements and prediction models that continuously monitor and update path quality metrics. This allows the BGP path selection to adapt dynamically to changing network conditions, transforming the static AS-path-based selection into a dynamic performance-aware process without complicating the underlying BGP mechanism.
2Reliability
If network administrators craft sophisticated sets of BGP policies to manipulate route attributes, then application quality of experience can be improved, but the approach becomes reactive where mitigation actions are only taken after performance degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary probing tests and uses prediction models to forecast future path performance before actual degradation occurs. This allows administrators to proactively adjust BGP policies based on predicted performance rather than reacting to already-degraded service, eliminating the time loss between detection and mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where performance measurements from probing tests are continuously fed into prediction models, which then inform BGP policy adjustments. This closed-loop feedback system enables proactive policy optimization based on measured and predicted performance, transforming the traditionally reactive administrative process into a proactive automated system.
3Reliability
If a device performs probing tests along multiple paths to obtain performance measurements and uses prediction models to generate predicted performance metrics, then proactive network performance management is achieved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified system: the same device that runs BGP also performs probing tests, collects performance data, executes prediction models, and adjusts policies. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single point of control rather than distributing it across multiple separate systems, making the complexity manageable while achieving proactive performance management.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a device determines a mapping between a network destination and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) peers located across a plurality of autonomous systems for which the network destination is reachable. The device causes, based on the mapping, performance of probing tests along a plurality of paths to the network destination and via the BGP peers, to obtain path performance measurements for the plurality of paths. The device uses a prediction model to generate predicted performance metrics for the plurality of paths based on the path performance measurements. The device configures, based on the predicted performance metrics for the plurality of paths, the BGP peers with BGP peering policies to convey application traffic associated with the network destination via particular path from among the plurality of paths.