Virtual Node for Intra-AS Traffic Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional routing algorithms in autonomous systems (AS) fail to balance traffic utilization between inter-AS links effectively, leading to uneven link utilization, and replacing routers is expensive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that creates a 'virtual node' by altering IGP and BGP information within a primary AS to simulate different topology and connectivity with a target AS, allowing traffic balancing among edge routers without requiring new routers, by disassociating selected addresses from edge routers and associating them with a virtual node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional routing algorithms are used in autonomous systems, then routing information is communicated via standard protocols, but traffic utilization between inter-AS links becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual node as an intermediary construct within the IGP domain that mediates traffic distribution to multiple BGP edge routers. This virtual node does not physically exist but is created through modified IGP routing information, allowing traffic to be balanced across multiple inter-AS links without requiring changes to actual router hardware or BGP protocol behavior at edge routers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of a routing construct (the virtual node) that replicates the functionality needed for traffic balancing. This virtual node is a copy in the routing information sense, not a physical device, allowing the system to achieve load balancing by redirecting traffic through this virtual representation rather than requiring multiple physical edge routers to be actively managed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If edge routers are used to communicate inter-AS routing information, then standard BGP protocols are maintained, but traffic is not evenly distributed across inter-AS links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a new dimension to the routing architecture by introducing a virtual node layer within the IGP domain. This virtual node exists in the routing information space rather than as a physical device, creating an additional layer of abstraction that enables traffic balancing without interfering with the existing BGP protocol operation at the edge router level.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual node acts as an intermediary construct that sits between the IGP internal routing and the BGP external routing. It mediates traffic distribution by appearing as a destination in IGP routing tables, which then gets translated into balanced traffic flow across multiple BGP edge routers, maintaining protocol compatibility while achieving load balancing.
3Productivity
If routers are replaced to achieve better traffic balancing, then traffic distribution may improve, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing physical routers, the patent creates a virtual copy or representation of a routing node that achieves the desired traffic balancing effect. This virtual node is implemented through software-based routing information modification rather than hardware replacement, dramatically reducing system cost while maintaining the productivity benefit of improved traffic distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the routing parameters (IGP routing information) to create virtual paths through the network that balance traffic load. By modifying routing metrics and information rather than physical infrastructure, the system achieves better traffic distribution without the high cost of replacing routers, effectively changing the logical topology parameters to optimize flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method enables the balancing of inter-AS traffic from a primary AS to a target AS by adding a virtual node in the primary AS that appears connected to the edge routers that advertise via (I)BGP the ability to forward communications the target AS, and modifying the (I)BGP messages reflected to the primary AS to indicate that only the virtual node may forward communications to the target AS.