Routing Path Identification Bypassing Transit Networks

Solution Overview

Problem

Network operators face challenges in identifying alternate routing paths for network traffic that bypass interconnecting transit networks, which can lead to increased latency and transit fees, especially when the destination network is unknown.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that obtains destination IP address information, compares it to an Internet database to determine the identity of the second network, and identifies a peer connection using a network map to establish a routing path that bypasses interconnecting transit networks, potentially through a distributed Internet exchange platform (DIXP), Internet exchange point (IXP), or direct connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traffic is routed through interconnecting transit networks, then network connectivity is established, but latency increases and transit fees are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively discovering and mapping peer connections between autonomous systems before traffic needs to be routed. The network operator uses IP address range databases and network mapping tools to identify direct peer connections in advance, storing this information for future routing decisions. This preliminary discovery enables the system to immediately switch to low-latency peer paths when available, rather than discovering routes reactively after latency problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary routing decision-making system that sits between the source network and the transit networks. This intermediary analyzes destination IP addresses, consults databases of known peer connections, and determines whether direct peer paths exist. When a peer connection is identified, the intermediary redirects traffic through this intermediate peer network rather than through the original transit network, thereby reducing latency while maintaining connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traffic is routed through interconnecting transit networks, then network connectivity is established, but transit fees are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidtransit fees

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively discovering and mapping peer connections between autonomous systems before traffic needs to be routed. The network operator uses IP address range databases and network mapping tools to identify direct peer connections in advance, storing this information for future routing decisions. This preliminary discovery enables the system to immediately switch to low-latency peer paths when available, rather than discovering routes reactively after latency problems occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary routing decision-making system that sits between the source network and the transit networks. This intermediary analyzes destination IP addresses, consults databases of known peer connections, and determines whether direct peer paths exist. When a peer connection is identified, the intermediary redirects traffic through this intermediate peer network rather than through the original transit network, thereby reducing latency while maintaining connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the destination network identity is unknown, then routing flexibility is maintained, but ability to identify alternate paths is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting flexibilityVSAvoiddestination network identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically performing destination network identification without requiring manual intervention. When a destination IP address is provided, the system automatically queries IP address range databases to resolve the destination network identity, autonomous system number, and associated peer connections. This automated self-service approach maintains routing flexibility while overcoming the difficulty of identifying unknown destination networks, as the process occurs transparently without operator involvement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9832105B2Method and apparatus for identifying different routing paths between networks

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 HONG KONG TELECOMM HKT LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus for analyzing IP data flows for the determination of an alternate routing path for network traffic between a known first network and a destination within an unknown second network on the Internet. An initial path between the first network and the destination exists. The IP address of the destination is determined and looked up in an Internet database. An alternative route to the destination is determined based on information from the Internet database in order to avoid an interconnecting transit network.