Route Reflector Detects Host Failures via BGP Rerouting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In secure communication networks, the disabling of ICMP messages to prevent denial of service attacks prevents devices from determining why a destination is unresponsive, leading to increased load and battery drain in mobile devices due to repeated data transmissions and pings.
Innovation Solution
A route reflector network element determines host failures via Border Gateway Protocol rerouted data and sends a negative acknowledgement (NACK) to redirect data to another host, using a security certificate or encryption key for authentication, thereby reducing unnecessary data transmissions and conserving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ICMP messages are disabled to prevent denial of service attacks, then network security is improved, but the ability to determine destination unresponsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a route reflector as an intermediary network element that mediates between the source device and the destination. The route reflector receives routing information, determines destination reachability, and provides this information to the source device through alternative protocols (non-ICMP), thus maintaining security while enabling destination status detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the destination into multiple virtual hosts or address spaces. When a destination is unreachable, the route reflector can redirect traffic to alternative virtual hosts or provide notification through routing protocol updates, allowing the source to detect unresponsiveness without using ICMP through the firewall
2Loss of information
If repeated data transmissions and pings are performed to detect destination availability, then destination status detection is improved, but network load and battery consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The route reflector performs preliminary actions by continuously maintaining and updating routing information about destination availability. This pre-computed routing information is made available to source devices, eliminating the need for them to perform repeated pings or data transmissions to detect destination status, thus conserving battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the route reflector continuously monitors destination availability and provides updated routing information to source devices. This feedback loop allows sources to adapt their transmission behavior based on current destination status without exhaustive probing, reducing unnecessary energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for routing of data transmitted from a mobile electronic device to a first host of a plurality of hosts in a communication network using a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is provided. It is determined, at a network element having a same address as a first host of a plurality of network hosts, that the first host has failed via receipt of BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) rerouted data, the BGP rerouted data originally transmitted to the first host from a communication device. A negative acknowledgement (NACK), identifiable as having been transmitted by the network element, is transmitted to the communication device to trigger the communication device to transmit data that was to be transmitted to the first host to another of the plurality of network hosts.