SD-WAN Hub Cluster Route Filtering for Multi-Region Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing routing solutions for large-scale SD-WAN deployments face limitations such as end-to-end visibility loss during overlay to underlay handoffs, constrained maximum supported hops, and manual controller assignment, which hinder scalability and connectivity among SD-WAN nodes across geographical regions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a distributed, disjoint gateway router model with multi-hop routing support, branch-to-branch VPN, and customizable VPN profiles, along with seamless switching between redundant transit points using route summarization, to enable full-mesh or customizable mesh for redundancy and resiliency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common controller model is used for route exchanges, then route propagation is simplified, but the maximum supported overlay hops is limited to two, constraining hierarchical deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the common controller into multiple distributed gateway routers, each responsible for a specific region or cluster. This segmentation allows routes to be propagated hierarchically across multiple overlay hops while maintaining the simplicity of automated route exchange within each segment. The patent implements this by dividing the network into multiple regions with local gateway routers that independently perform route propagation, enabling deployments with more than two overlay hops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the controller architecture by distributing gateway routers across multiple geographical regions rather than using a single centralized controller. This dimensional change enables hierarchical multi-hop routing while preserving the automated route propagation benefits of the common controller model within each region.
2Reliability
If manual assignment of controllers to edges is implemented, then the number of edges connecting to a controller stays within acceptable limits, but deployment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling gateway routers to automatically discover and assign themselves to appropriate regions without manual configuration. The distributed gateway model allows each router to autonomously determine its role and connections, eliminating the need for manual controller-to-edge assignment while maintaining acceptable connection limits through automated load distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distributed disjoint gateway routers are deployed, then scalability is enhanced and multi-hop routing is supported, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the distributed gateway system into independent regional clusters, each managed by a local gateway router. This segmentation enables scalability and multi-hop routing support while containing complexity within manageable regional boundaries, as each segment operates semi-autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed gateway routers are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both local route propagators and inter-region transit points. This universality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized components, as each gateway router can handle multiple routing functions across different hierarchical levels.
4Reliability
If route summarization is used for switching between redundant transit points, then seamless switching is achieved, but route visibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial route summarization where only certain route attributes are aggregated while others remain detailed. This partial action approach enables seamless switching between redundant transit points through summarization while preserving sufficient route visibility information for proper routing decisions, balancing both requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for using route filtering to relay routes between members of hub router clusters in an SD-WAN to reduce redundant route notifications to route reflectors (RRs) that advertise routes to hub routers in multiple regions connected by the SD-WAN and multiple edge routers at sites across the multiple regions. The method is performed at a first hub router of a first cluster. From a first edge router at a first site in a first region, the method receives routes of the first edge router. The method distributes the routes of the first edge router to a particular RR directly connected to the first cluster. The method distributes, to each other hub router of the first cluster, the routes of the first edge router along with an identifier that indicates that the routes should not be redistributed to the particular RR.