Selective Routing Information Distribution in CDNs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packet routing systems experience inefficiencies due to propagation delays in updating routing information across networks, leading to suboptimal routing and potential communication failures.

Innovation Solution

A distributed system where a content delivery network service provider collects and processes packet routing information from multiple Points of Presence (POPs), updates routing tables, and selectively distributes these updates to specific POPs using hash trees for conflict resolution and targeted distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If routing information is updated and distributed across all routers in the network, then routing tables remain current and accurate, but propagation delays cause temporary routing inefficiencies and increased update time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting table accuracyVSAvoidpropagation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective distribution of routing information updates to specific routers based on their geographic location and network topology characteristics. Instead of uniformly distributing updates to all routers, the system identifies and targets only those routers that require the update, reducing unnecessary propagation delays while maintaining routing table accuracy where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network into different regions or zones and distributes routing information updates selectively within each segment. This allows parallel processing of updates across different network segments, reducing overall propagation delay while ensuring each segment maintains accurate routing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If routing information is updated frequently to reflect dynamic network conditions, then routing efficiency improves, but network overhead and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial updates to routing information by identifying and distributing only the specific changes that occurred (such as single route modifications) rather than redistributing complete routing tables. This reduces network overhead and processing load while maintaining routing efficiency by keeping routing information current where changes occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of routing information distribution from complete table redistribution to selective delta updates. By transmitting only the differences (additions, deletions, or modifications) in routing information, the system reduces network overhead and energy consumption while maintaining routing efficiency through timely propagation of essential changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If complete routing tables are distributed to all routers, then all routers have full routing capability, but network bandwidth consumption and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting capabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and distributes only the necessary portions of routing information to specific routers based on their roles and locations in the network. Border routers receive external routing information, while internal routers receive only relevant internal routing updates, reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining adequate routing capability for each router's function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of distributing complete routing tables to all routers, the patent inverts the approach by having routers request or receive only the specific routing information they need based on their network position and traffic patterns. This reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining routing adaptability for each router's specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9912593B2Selective distribution of routing information

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 AMAZON TECH INC

AI summary

A distributed system for collecting and processing packet routing information is provided. A service provider, such as a content delivery network service provider, can maintain multiple Points of Presence (“POPs”). Routing computing devices associated with each POP can forward information about the packet routing information to a packet routing management component. The packet routing component can process the information provided by the various POPs. The packet routing component can then update, or otherwise modify, packet routing information used by one or more of the POPs. Accordingly, the packet routing management component can then selectively distribute the updated or modified packet routing information, including the distribution to all POPs, the targeted distribution to specific POPs and the creation of centrally accessible routing information.