Virtual Testing Network Resiliency via Segmented Routing Bases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing network resiliency either disrupt production data traffic or yield inaccurate results due to the inability to simulate failures without affecting the primary route, leading to potential delays and reconvergence failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual routing system with a production routing information base (pRIB) for primary data routing and a virtual routing information base (vRIB) to simulate failures on alternate routes, allowing test data packets to be routed through alternate paths without affecting production data flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional network resiliency testing methods are used to simulate route failures, then testing accuracy is improved, but production data traffic is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The routing information base is segmented into two separate instances: a first routing information base for production data traffic and a second routing information base for test data packets. This segmentation allows independent operation of testing and production routing, enabling accurate failure simulation without disrupting production traffic flow.
Solution Approach 2:
A second routing information base acts as an intermediary for testing purposes. It receives test data packets, simulates route failures, and routes packets through alternate paths without affecting the primary routing information base that handles production traffic, thus mediating between testing needs and production continuity.
2Reliability
If production data is rerouted through alternate paths during testing, then resiliency is tested, but data loss or delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting traffic into production data packets and test data packets with separate routing information bases, the system allows production traffic to maintain its optimal primary route without interruption, eliminating delay and loss while still enabling resiliency testing through separate test packet routing.
3Device complexity
If a single routing information base is used for both production and testing, then system complexity is reduced, but testing accuracy deteriorates due to inability to simulate failures
Solution Approach 1:
The routing system is divided into two separate routing information bases, each handling specific functions independently. This segmentation enables accurate failure simulation in the second RIB without affecting production routing in the first RIB, achieving testing accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second routing information base serves as a copy or replica of the routing structure used in production, allowing realistic failure scenario simulation. This copying approach maintains structural fidelity for accurate testing while isolating test operations from production systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for testing resiliency of a data network with real-world accuracy without affecting the flow of production data through the network. A method according to the technologies may include receiving a production data packet and determining a preferred data route toward a destination node for the production data packet based on a first routing information base, wherein the first routing information base includes a database where routes and route metadata are stored according to a routing protocol. The method may also include, receiving a test data packet, and determining an alternate data route toward the destination node for the test data packet based on a second routing information base, wherein the second routing information base simulates an error in the preferred data route. The method may include sending the production data packet to the preferred data route and sending the test data packet to the alternate data route.