Source-Selected Path Routing Network Interfacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy IP networks face security and reliability issues due to their hop-by-hop routing mechanism, which is constrained by the current Internet architecture, necessitating a new architecture that enhances security and reliability while minimizing complexity for existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a source-selected path routing network, such as SCION, that allows data packets to include the full path to their destination, enabling routers to follow specific instructions for forwarding without relying on inter-domain forwarding tables, and using border gateway protocol peering sessions to interface with legacy IP networks, ensuring seamless data packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hop-by-hop routing mechanism is used in legacy IP networks, then routing decisions can be made dynamically at each router, but security and reliability issues arise due to dependence on inter-domain forwarding tables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the routing information into two parts: path identity information (stored in forwarding tables) and full path details (embedded in packets). This segmentation allows routers to make forwarding decisions based on simple path identities while the complete path information travels with the packet, eliminating security vulnerabilities associated with storing comprehensive routing tables at each router.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary path computation and validation before packets are forwarded. Path identity information is pre-computed and stored in forwarding tables, and paths are validated in advance through path computation elements. This preliminary action ensures that only secure and valid paths are used for forwarding, enhancing network reliability without requiring complex real-time routing decisions at each router.
2Productivity
If source-selected path routing is implemented, then optimal path selection based on latency, bandwidth, and packet loss is enabled, but complexity is introduced to the routing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces path computation elements and border gateway protocol peering sessions as intermediaries that handle complex path computation and optimization tasks. These intermediaries compute optimal paths based on network conditions and parameters such as latency, bandwidth, and packet loss, then provide simplified path identity information to routers. This allows source nodes to select optimal paths without requiring every router to perform complex computations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex path computation and optimization functions from individual routers and concentrates them in dedicated path computation elements and border gateway protocol peering sessions. This extraction allows routers to focus on simple forwarding based on path identities, while path optimization is handled by specialized components that can utilize global network information without adding complexity to the core routing mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If full path information is embedded in data packets, then path transparency and control are improved, but packet size and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses path identity information as a compact reference or copy identifier that represents the full path without duplicating complete path details in every packet. The full path can be reconstructed or looked up using this identity information, similar to how a copy reference works. This approach provides path transparency and control while minimizing the additional data volume in packets compared to embedding complete path information.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application generally relates to a system and method for interfacing a source-selected path routing network with existing legacy IP networks. This interfacing may be achieved by installing specific router devices at the borders of the source-selected path routing network. Said router devices are able to exchange routing information in the form of IP prefix announcements and withdrawals between legacy IP networks and the source-selected path routing network according to an appropriate exterior gateway protocol. Hereby, the source-selected path routing network that in reality comprises a plurality of autonomous systems is conceptually regarded as a single autonomous system. Hence, a legacy IP network that is a direct neighbor of a source-selected path routing network may ensure that traffic destined to it traverses the source-selected path routing network by announcing its routing information only to the source-selected path routing network via an appropriate exterior gateway protocol.