T2 Bounce Routing for Multi-Tier Network Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-tier network fabrics, data packets transmitted between routers can take different routes due to intra-network routing protocols like OSPF, leading to unbalanced resource utilization, latency issues, and packet reassembly challenges, as well as potential congestion and incomplete bandwidth delivery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'T2 bounce' routing technique where data transmissions from one router in a lower tier are routed through one or more routers in a higher tier, using an alternative routing table to distribute traffic evenly across higher-tier routers, even if a direct connection exists, thereby balancing traffic load and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intra-network routing protocols (OSPF) are used for routing data packets between lower level routers, then routing flexibility is improved, but network resource utilization balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces middle tier routers as intermediary devices between lower tier TOR routers and upper tier aggregation routers. These middle tier routers act as mediators that receive data packets from TOR routers, perform load balancing decisions, and forward packets through selected paths. This intermediary layer enables controlled traffic distribution that balances network resource utilization while maintaining routing flexibility through protocol support.
2Speed
If direct routing paths are used between lower level routers, then transmission speed is improved, but latency and packet reassembly issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple hierarchical tiers (TOR routers, middle tier routers, aggregation routers) and divides traffic flow into controlled segments. By breaking the direct routing path into segmented hops through different tiers, the system can manage packet flow more effectively, reduce congestion-related delays, and minimize packet reassembly issues while maintaining overall transmission speed through parallel path utilization.
3Productivity
If traffic is routed through higher tier routers, then traffic load balance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic routing capabilities where middle tier routers can adaptively select paths based on current network conditions, traffic patterns, and load metrics. This dynamic behavior allows the system to automatically balance traffic load across available paths without requiring complex static configuration, reducing the burden on network administrators while maintaining improved traffic distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies are provided for distributing intra-network communications evenly across routers in a multi-tier network. Routers in a middle tier of the network receive data transmissions from a router in a lower tier of the network and determine that a destination of the data transmissions is another router in the lower tier of the network. Instead of routing the data transmissions to the destination router directly, the routers in the middle tier of the network route the data transmissions to other routers in a higher tier of the network. The routers in the higher tier of the network then route the data transmissions back to routers in the middle tier of the network, distributing the data transmissions evenly across routers in the middle tier that are connected to the destination router in the lower tier.