Programmable Path Computation Engine for SR and TE Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IP routing technologies lead to overutilization of certain links and lack flow-by-flow control, necessitating Traffic Engineering (TE) techniques for better bandwidth management, which require significant engineering resources for customization.
Innovation Solution
A programmable Path Computation Engine (PCE) that manages and calculates TE paths, allowing network operators to define routing intentions and adapt to network changes using customizable rules and rule-based engines, separating intent from path management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Traffic Engineering (TE) techniques are used to determine paths for forwarding traffic, then bandwidth management and flow-by-flow control are improved, but device complexity and engineering resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized Path Computation Element (PCE) is introduced as an intermediary to perform path computation for multiple Traffic Engineering tunnels. The PCE receives path computation requests from multiple Path Computation Clients (PCCs), computes optimized paths considering network state and constraints, and returns the computed paths. This intermediary approach centralizes the complex computation logic, allowing individual network elements to simply implement standardized interfaces without requiring complex embedded path computation capabilities, thus improving bandwidth management while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The Path Computation Element is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple PCCs and compute paths for multiple TE tunnels simultaneously. The PCE maintains a unified view of network state and can compute paths for different traffic flows with diverse constraints using the same computational engine. This multi-functional design allows a single PCE to replace multiple specialized path computation functions, reducing overall system complexity while providing comprehensive bandwidth management capabilities.
2Reliability
If TE paths are used to track routes and monitor bandwidth utilization, then resource utilization control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the PCE continuously receives updates about network state changes from PCCs and other network elements. When topology changes, bandwidth availability changes, or new TE tunnels are established, the PCE recalculates paths based on current network conditions. This feedback loop ensures reliable resource utilization control by dynamically adapting paths to current network state, while the centralized architecture manages system complexity by consolidating the feedback processing logic in the PCE rather than distributing it across multiple devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flow-by-flow path control is implemented, then traffic engineering capability is improved, but computation overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCE performs path computation in advance before traffic flows are established. When a TE tunnel is requested, the PCE proactively computes the optimal path based on current network state and constraints, then provisions the path before traffic begins flowing. This preliminary computation approach allows for thorough optimization of each flow's path without incurring computation overhead during actual traffic transmission. The PCE can batch process multiple path computation requests and maintain cached path information, further reducing real-time computation requirements while preserving full traffic engineering capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for computing paths through a network are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes the step of storing and managing a first set of objects including one or more Segment Routing (SR) policies and Traffic Engineering (TE) tunnels, where the first set of objects represents custom behavior received from a network operator for defining intended characteristics of traffic flowing through a network. The method also includes the step of storing and managing a second set of objects representing one or more managed paths through the network, where the managed paths are calculated by a TE technique using the one or more SR policies and TE tunnels.