Router Testing System Using BMP-to-BGP Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional testing methodologies for network routers, such as using route reflectors, only capture BGP information post-processing, which is not useful for testing new policies that involve unprocessed information, particularly for route filtering.
Innovation Solution
A computing device method that collects unprocessed BGP data from a production router, modifies header elements to reflect test network elements, and sends modified data to a router under test to simulate a BGP session, allowing for the testing of routing policies and capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional testing methodologies using route reflectors are used, then BGP information can be captured, but only post-processed information is obtained which is not useful for testing new policies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing BGP information at the source router before any processing occurs. The testing system intercepts raw BGP updates, notifications, and other messages directly from the production router, preserving the unprocessed state of the data. This allows testers to evaluate routing policies on the original, unmodified BGP information rather than on already-processed results.
2Adaptability or versatility
If unprocessed BGP data is captured and modified for testing, then routing policies can be thoroughly tested, but the complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary testing system that sits between the production router and the test router. This intermediary captures BGP messages from the production router, modifies them by changing attributes like originator ID, router ID, and AS path, and then forwards the modified messages to the test router. This mediator approach enables versatile policy testing while managing complexity by centralizing the modification logic in a single component rather than requiring complex end-to-end system changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing system creates copies of the production router's BGP messages and modifies these copies for testing purposes. Instead of altering the actual production router's behavior or requiring changes to the live network, the system duplicates the BGP message stream, modifies the copies with test-specific parameters, and sends these to the test router. This copying approach enables thorough policy testing without affecting production operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If BGP messages are modified to match test network elements, then accurate testing of test network configuration can be performed, but the processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making targeted, localized modifications to specific fields within the BGP message structure rather than completely reconstructing the messages. The testing system modifies only the necessary attributes such as originator ID, router ID, next-hop address, and AS path to match the test network configuration, while leaving the rest of the message structure intact. This selective modification approach maintains test accuracy while minimizing processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include computing devices and methods for testing a router device. A processor of the computing device may receive one or more Border Monitoring Protocol (BMP) messages collected from a production router. The processor may obtain header information from a header portion of the one or more BMP messages. The processor may modify an origination address in the header information to match an address of a first test network element. The processor may modify a next hop address in the header information to match an address of a second test network element. The processor may convert the one or more BMP messages including the modified header information to one or more Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) messages. The processor may send the one or more BGP messages to a router under test in the test network.