Service Topology Exchange Protocol for Router State Distribution
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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 managing dynamic network changes, leading to difficulties in propagating service availability and routing information across multiple SSRs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Service and Topology Exchange Protocol (STEP) that enables routers to exchange service and topology state information through a primary STEP server, allowing each router to make informed routing decisions based on aggregated data from other routers, using JSON patch documents and a path tree database for efficient storage and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service configuration is extended to a large number of SSRs using explicit configuration through the Conductor, then service availability across multiple routers is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of propagation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each SSR runs its own STEP server that automatically publishes its service and topology state information to the network. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual configuration propagation through the Conductor, allowing routers to autonomously contribute their service availability information while maintaining high reliability across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The STEP protocol acts as an intermediary layer between individual SSRs, enabling them to exchange service and topology state information directly. This mediator protocol simplifies configuration management by providing standardized automatic publication and subscription mechanisms, reducing the complexity of extending service configuration across multiple routers.
2Measurement precision
If service state information is propagated across multiple SSRs, then routing decision accuracy is improved, but information loss and propagation delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The STEP protocol implements a publish-subscribe feedback mechanism where SSRs continuously publish their service and topology state information and subscribe to information from other routers. This continuous feedback loop ensures that routing decisions are based on current, accurate service state information while maintaining information completeness through systematic propagation of state changes across the network.
3Loss of information
If manual configuration propagation is used for service information, then information completeness is maintained, but time consumption and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Each SSR automatically publishes its service and topology state information through its STEP server without requiring manual configuration propagation. This self-service approach dramatically increases productivity by enabling automatic, real-time information exchange while maintaining complete service information through systematic publication and subscription mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A routing system for implementing a service and topology exchange protocol (STEP) includes a primary STEP server configured to maintain a STEP repository and a plurality of routers, with each router including a STEP client in communication with the primary STEP server. The STEP client of each router is configured to transmit, using STEP, STEP documents containing service and topology state information for at least one route or service available through the router to the primary STEP server for storage in the STEP repository. The primary STEP server is configured to transmit to the STEP client of each router, using STEP, service and topology state information from the STEP repository for at least one other router based on configured relationships between routers. Each router is configured to make routing decisions based at least in part on the service and topology state information from the at least one other router.