Routing Protocol Proxy for Redundant Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network routing, having multiple redundant control devices improves redundancy but complicates configuration for users, requiring them to manage multiple reachability information sessions, which increases traffic and processing overhead on customer routers.
Innovation Solution
An additional module on forwarding devices at the edge of the service provider network masks the existence of multiple control devices, establishing and managing reachability information sessions to present a single control device to the customer network, aggregating data from multiple control devices to simplify configuration and reduce overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redundant control devices are deployed, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy device that acts as an intermediary between external routing devices and multiple redundant control devices. The proxy device receives routing information from external devices and distributes it to the appropriate control devices, or aggregates information from control devices and presents it as coming from a single source. This mediator approach maintains network redundancy while hiding the complexity of multiple control devices from external systems and users.
2Reliability
If multiple control devices are used, then redundancy is improved, but traffic overhead and processing burden on customer routers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reachability information sessions from different control devices into a single aggregated view presented to external routing devices. The proxy device consolidates routing information from multiple control devices and presents it as if from a single source, reducing the number of separate sessions that external devices must manage and process. This merging approach maintains the benefits of multiple control devices while reducing the processing burden on customer routers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reachability information sessions are established, then control functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The proxy device serves as an intermediary that manages multiple reachability information sessions between control devices and external routing devices. It abstracts the complexity of multiple sessions by presenting a unified interface to external devices, allowing them to interact with what appears to be a single control entity. This maintains the versatility of having multiple control devices while significantly improving ease of operation for users and external systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method exchanges routing data within a network including control and forwarding on separate devices. In the method, a first reachability information session is established between a forwarding device and a first control device and a second reachability information session is established between the forwarding device and a second control device. Also, a third reachability information session is established between the forwarding device and an external routing device. Finally, advertisements are exchanged between the first and second reachability information sessions and the third reachability information session such that the first and second control device appear to the external routing device to be a single device. System and computer program product embodiments are also disclosed.