Source-Based Routing via Service Topology Exchange Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current service-oriented routing platforms, such as the 128T routing platform, face challenges in extending service configuration to a large number of Session Smart Routers (SSRs) and lack visibility into service availability at the ultimate destination, leading to incorrect packet routing due to the limitations of traditional routing protocols and the need for dynamic exchange of service and topology state information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Service and Topology Exchange Protocol (STEP) that enables routers to exchange service and topology state information, allowing for intelligent routing decisions, scalable network management, and propagation of service availability across the network, using a centralized repository to manage and distribute this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional routing protocols are used for packet forwarding, then routing decisions can be made at each router, but service availability visibility at the ultimate destination is lost leading to incorrect routing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a service-aware routing protocol that provides feedback mechanisms where routers advertise service availability information to neighboring routers. This feedback loop enables each router to build a view of service availability across the network, allowing accurate routing decisions to be made at each hop while maintaining visibility of the ultimate destination's service status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service advertisement messages as intermediaries that carry service availability information between routers. These messages act as mediators that transport critical service state information across the network, enabling routers to make informed routing decisions without direct visibility to the ultimate destination while maintaining routing accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service configuration is extended to a large number of SSRs, then network coverage and service delivery capability improve, but configuration complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic service configuration mechanisms where Service Route Advertisers (SRAs) automatically advertise their service capabilities and routing information to Service Route Clients (SRCs). This self-service approach eliminates manual configuration requirements, allowing service configuration to be extended to large numbers of SSRs without increasing management complexity. The system autonomously discovers and configures service routes across the network.
3Reliability
If dynamic exchange of service and topology state information is implemented, then routing accuracy and service availability improve, but network overhead and communication load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a selective service advertisement mechanism where only routers that have relevant service information (Service Route Advertisers) actively participate in the dynamic exchange. Not all routers need to perform full service advertisement and processing, reducing the overall network overhead. This partial action approach maintains routing accuracy for services that require it while minimizing unnecessary communication load on the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A routing system for routing packets for a route or service comprises a plurality of routers including a source router, wherein the source router is configured to receive, using a service and topology exchange protocol, service and topology state information from a STEP repository for at least one other router based on configured relationships between routers; determine a first path to a destination for a route or service based on the service and topology state information, the first path including an ordered list of successive routers to receive a packet associated with the route or service starting with a first successive router and ending with a destination router; and transmit a packet toward the first successive router with first metadata including a list of at least one remaining router of the ordered list of routers to receive the packet associated with the route or service. Each successive router, starting with the first successive router, is configured to receive a packet and determine if the router is the destination router based on metadata associated with the received packet, and when the router is not the destination router, forward the packet toward a next successive router in the ordered list of routers.