UCMP Table Entry Management for Equal Cost Path Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Unequal Cost Multipath (UCMP) networks, modifying Forward Information Database (FIB) entries corresponding to UCMP tables is time-consuming, leading to packet loss due to the large number of entries that need to be updated when path proportions change.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to efficiently manage UCMP entries by maintaining a fixed number of entries in the FIB table, where each entry includes the number of UCMP entries for equal cost paths, and dynamically reassigning these entries based on path weights and a preset fixed value, allowing for rapid updates without packet loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If FIB entries corresponding to UCMP tables are modified to reflect path proportion changes, then load sharing efficiency is improved, but updating time increases and packet loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-allocates a fixed number of UCMP entries (e.g., 256 entries) for each FIB entry in advance. When path proportions need to be adjusted, the system only needs to reassign the distribution of packets among these pre-existing entries rather than creating or modifying the entries themselves. This preliminary setup eliminates the time-consuming process of modifying FIB entries during runtime, thus resolving the contradiction between improving load sharing efficiency and reducing updating time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reassignment of packet distribution ratios among the fixed UCMP entries based on current path conditions. While the number of entries remains static, the weighting and packet assignment ratios can be dynamically adjusted without requiring FIB table modifications. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions quickly, improving productivity without incurring updating delays or packet loss
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of FIB entries is large, then comprehensive path coverage is improved, but updating complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UCMP table into multiple fixed-size entry blocks (e.g., 256 entries per FIB entry) that can be independently managed. This segmentation allows the system to handle large numbers of paths by organizing them into manageable units. When updates are needed, only specific segments need to be reassigned rather than updating the entire FIB table, thus reducing updating complexity while maintaining comprehensive path coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing the structure or number of FIB entries, the patent changes the parameters within the fixed entries—specifically the packet assignment ratios and weighting factors. This parameter-based adjustment allows the system to adapt to various path configurations and proportion requirements without increasing structural complexity. The fixed entry structure simplifies management while the flexible parameters enable comprehensive path coverage
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of establishing an entry corresponding to equal cost paths, network devices and non-transitory machine-readable storage medium are provided. In one aspect, the network establishes a FIB entry, where the FIB entry includes the number of UCMP entries UCMP table corresponding to N paths configured to be equal cost with each other between the network device and a destination network device, where an address of the destination network device, and the number of the UCMP entries in the UCMP table is equal to a preset fixed value; and assigns at least one UCMP entry for each of the N paths based on respective weights of the paths and the fixed value, where the at least one ECMP entry corresponding to the path respectively includes index information corresponding to the path.